By: MADISON GARCIA
Staff Writer
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is the month dedicated to supporting everyone who has been affected by the disease. There is about a 13% chance that a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. It is also the most common type of cancer in women, besides skin cancer. Most women with breast cancer are in their early 60s, but ethnicity has an effect on the age people get it. As you age your chances of getting cancer increase. While cancer can not be prevented, there are certain things people can do to decrease their risk. Some ways to decrease your risk are eating healthy, getting exercise, choosing to drink alcohol in moderation (or not at all), and talking to your doctor if you have a history of breast cancer in your family. Once women reach the age of 40, it is a good idea to start getting annual mammograms. Mammograms are a type of x-ray picture of the breast, and doctors use them to look for early signs of breast cancer. While mammograms cannot prevent cancer, they can help to catch it while it is still small. There is hope to be had if diagnosed with this disease. About 90% of women are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed, and about 84% of women will still be alive after 10 years. This month, it is important to sympathize with people who have or have had the disease, as well as people who have lost loved ones to it.
