Breast Can­cer Aware­ness Month – Early Detection Saves Lives

Octo­ber is Breast Can­cer Aware­ness Month. It is an annu­al cam­paign ded­i­cat­ed to high­light­ing the impor­tance of breast can­cer detec­tion, edu­ca­tion and research with the ulti­mate goal of find­ing a per­ma­nent cure.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. That is why early detection is so important. The earlier the cancer is found the bet­ter care can be and the more options there are available.

The American Cancer Society says that "breast cancer that’s found early, when it’s small and has not spread, is easier to treat successfully. Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early."

Many who are diag­nosed with breast can­cer do not exhib­it symp­toms of breast can­cer. This is why screen­ings are so impor­tant. Com­mon screen­ing tests include clin­i­cal breast exams and mam­mo­grams. For those at a high­er risk of breast can­cer, breast MRI may be used.

Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.