October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Over 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year.

For women in the United States, breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer besides lung cancer.
As of 2008, there were approximately 2.5 million women in the United States who have survived breast cancer.
Early detection of breast cancer, followed by treatment, can save lives.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a program designed to promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.

Know the Facts About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer.
An estimated 40,460 women will die from breast cancer in the United States in 2009.

Risk Factors

It is estimated 82% of breast cancers occur in women age 50 and older.
The risk is significantly higher for women over the age of 60.
The risk increases for a woman whose mother, daughter, or sister have had the disease.
The risk is higher for women who smoke or consume alcohol, have insufficient physical activity and poor nutritional programs.

Early Detection

When breast cancer is diagnosed and treated early, suffering and the loss of life can be reduced. Women are encouraged to talk to their doctors about mammography which is the most effective method of detecting breast cancer. For most women, many organizations and physicians recommend annual mammograms and clinical breast evaluations beginning at age 40.

Statistics for West Virginians

Based on information obtained from the American Cancer Society it is reported that there were:

310 breast cancer deaths in West Virginia in 2008

Cancer Resources

American Cancer Society
If you need immediate information, please call 800-ACS-2345 (or 1-866-228-4327 for TTY). They are available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Web site: www.cancer.org

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
409 12th Street, SW
P.O. Box 96920
Washington, DC 20090
Phone 202-863-2528
Web site: www.acog.org

American College of Radiology
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Phone 703-648-8900 or 800-227-5463
Email: info@acr.org
Website: www.acr.org

American Medical Women's Association
100 North 20th Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone 215-320-3716
Website: www.amwa-doc.org

Breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer online.
Web site: www.breastcancer.org

CancerCare, Inc. - National Office
275 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Phone 800-813-4673
Email: info@cancercare.org
Website: www.cancercare.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cancer Prevention and Control
4770 Buford Highway, NE
Mail Stop K-64
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Phone: 800-CDC-INFO
TTY: 888-232-6348
Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Website: www.cdc.gov/cancer

National Cancer Institute
Office of Education and Special Initiatives
6116 Executive Boulevard, #202
Bethesda, MD 20892-8334
Phone: 800-422-6237
TTY: 800-332-8615
Website: www.cancer.gov

Prevent Cancer Foundation
1600 Duke Street
Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-836-4412 or 800-227-2732
Website: www.preventcancer.org

Updated: May 27, 2009