Stay Educated

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in the United States, with hundreds of thousands diagnosed each year. It happens when certain cells in the breast grow out of control, often starting in the milk ducts or lobules. These cancer cells can form a lump or mass and may spread to other parts of the body if not treated early. While it can also affect men, it is far more common in women and touches the lives of many—whether through personal diagnosis or someone they love. Because it’s so widespread, raising awareness and encouraging early detection through screenings like mammograms and self-exams is incredibly important.

Things like getting older, being female, and having a family history of breast cancer can increase your risk. Inherited gene changes, like BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, also raise the chance. Other factors include starting your period early, going through menopause late, not having children or having them later in life, and hormone replacement therapy. Lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol, not exercising, or being overweight after menopause can also play a role.

Early detection of breast cancer is key to finding the disease before it spreads and when it’s most treatable. There are several ways to catch it early, including breast self-exams (BSE), where you regularly check your own breasts for any changes like lumps, swelling, or skin changes. While BSEs help you get familiar with what’s normal for your body, regular clinical breast exams by a healthcare provider add another layer of screening. Most importantly, mammograms—low-dose X-rays of the breast—can detect cancer even before you feel a lump. Women over 40 are generally advised to get yearly mammograms, but those with higher risk may need to start earlier. Combining these tools gives you the best chance of catching breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective.