October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. Throughout this month the Monitor will be highlighting different aspects of BCAM and issues related to breast cancer, new technologies related to detection and treatment options, fund raising, and more. It is the expectation that this series of articles will provide our readership with new information that can be used for their own health care. Additionally, it is our hope that you will pass the information on to your friends, especially those in our Spanish speaking community.

Nationwide: In 2021, according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 49,290 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. About 43,600 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2021 from breast cancer. Death rates have been steady in women under 50 since 2007, but have continued to drop in women over age 50.

Iowa: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Iowa women and accounts for 25 percent of all new cancers diagnosed in Iowa women every year. In 2020 in Iowa alone, 2,700 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 390 will die from this disease. Breast cancer accounted for 29.4% of all cancers in Iowa women and was the leading cause of death, beating out lung cancer by over 16.8% points. As of February 2021 there are 34,180 breast cancer survivors living in Iowa; 815 in Allamakee County and 1,085 in Winneshiek County. These facts are based on research done by the Iowa Cancer Registry.

Breast cancer in Men: Breast cancer in men is a rare disease. Less than 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. In 2021, about 2,650 men nationwide are expected to be diagnosed with the disease, and an estimated 530 men are expected to die from breast cancer. For men, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 833.

What is a normal breast? No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. Breast self-exam, or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully.

What Are the Symptoms? There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all. Some warning signs of breast cancer are—

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Pain in any area of the breast

Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.

What Do Lumps in My Breast Mean?

Many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. But most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions. The two most common causes of breast lumps are fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, tender, and sore. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast.

If you have concerns, please call your doctor.