October may be Breast Cancer Awareness month, but every month breast cancer is killing Americans. Unfortunately, the rate of breast cancer in Dallas continues to rise even with prevention methods.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 1 in 8 women develop breast cancer and 1 in 36 women die from breast cancer. ACS says breast cancer is associated with increased age, hereditary factors, obesity, and alcohol use. Since 1990, breast cancer death rates have declined — but not in Dallas County.
When comparing Dallas County to other Texas counties, Dallas is at the bottom. A report by North Texas Health says, “Dallas County has a breast cancer incidence rate of 118.8 cases out of 100,000 females. That puts Dallas County in the worst 25% of Texas counties.”
However, when comparing Dallas County to the overall U.S. rate of 125.9, Dallas County is lower.
Statistically, when looking at race and ethnicity, white Dallas County residents have the highest rate of breast cancer, followed by African Americans and Hispanic women, respectively.
The best way to stop breast cancer from becoming deadly is through prevention.
FreeMammograms.org is a health care database that lists Dallas area locations where women can get a free or reduced-cost mammogram, including Parkland Hospital – Mammogram Outreach and Parkland Comprehensive Breast Center.
