October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all New Yorkers are encouraged to take the time to promote breast cancer awareness and early detection. 

The fight for breast cancer starts with early detection. Preventative screenings, routine mammograms and setting up regular visits can make all of the difference in the battle against disease and the fight for survival.

Excluding skin cancer, nearly 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in women is breast cancer. Though 95% of diagnoses are in women aged 40 and up, younger women and roughly 2,000 men are annually diagnosed with this disease.

Breast cancer is usually not fatal if discovered early and treated, however factors including infrequent mammograms and self exams, and limited access to health care can make detection less likely and treatment more expensive, giving the disease time to progress. In New York State between 14,000 and 15,300 women battle breast cancer each year, and more than 2,600 lose their lives. Many of those deaths can be prevented by increasing public awareness of practices that lead to early detection and treatment, and ensuring that treatment is available to more New Yorkers.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to improve public health in New York and raise awareness about this disease which impacts thousands of our friends and neighbors every year. For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please visit: the NYS Department of Health website or the the CDC website.