An estimated 20,510 new cases of female and male breast cancer will be reported in Texas in the year 2023, according to Texas Oncology.
Of these cases, a projected 3,503 deaths will result. Across the United States, 43,170 women and 530 men are expected to die this year because of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most deadly type of cancer among women in the U.S., after lung and bronchial cancers. The 2023 top five projected deadliest cancers in females by percentage are lung and bronchial (21%), breast (15%), colon and rectal (8%), pancreatic (8%), and ovarian (5%), per the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2023 report. Note that the report excludes basal and squamous cell skin cancers and noninvasive cancers except for those of the urinary bladder.
These percentages provide a clear picture of the severity of breast cancer and its ranking among the deadliest cancers affecting women in the United States.
Breast screenings are crucial in detecting any irregularities or symptoms of cancer. While screenings do not prevent cancer, they can save lives with early detection.
Women who have inherited mutations to their genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, are over age 50, or started menstruating before age 12 are at higher risk for the disease, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additional risk factors for the disease include but are not limited to alcohol consumption, genetics, race, family history, dense breast tissue, and obesity.
Women are categorized with the disease as “average risk” or “high risk.” As such, knowing the recommended screening guidelines per risk assessment is crucial.
Medical professionals advise that women be screened early and be proactive if they notice something unusual. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines in May urging women of average risk for breast cancer to seek breast cancer screenings starting at 40, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
A woman is considered at average risk for breast cancer if she has no personal history, strong family history, chest radiation therapy, or genetic mutation, according to Allan R. Katz, MD, FACOG, OB-GYN with the University of Texas Physicians and professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the UT Health Science Center at Houston, as reported by WFAA.
There are different options for breast cancer screening, such as mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast MRIs, and self-examinations. Mammograms are the recommended first-line screening method and are considered the most reliable, even though they can provide false positive and false negative test results, per WFAA.
Mammograms have the advantage of being able to detect breast cancer at an early stage when it is too small to be detected by self-examination.
With a relatively quick screening time of 15-20 minutes, prioritizing your health is almost painless despite possible temporary discomfort from the exam.
Most insurance companies are required to cover this potentially life-saving screening beginning at the age of 40.
Additionally, the CDC offers free or low-cost mammograms for qualifying individuals. To find a screening program near you, click here.
While October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important, awareness alone is not enough to save lives. Early detection is the key to successful treatment, and by being proactive, you can increase your chances of beating this disease. Take action and get screened, encourages the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.