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I remember exactly where I was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was July 2016, my whole family was at the beach. I received the call. I was not fearful. I just said to myself well, now what. I told myself I was going to be the best cancer patient I could be. The next several weeks were figuring out exactly what my next steps would be. It was daunting.

For the month of October, the Pleasanton Express will help educate women and those that love women about prevention and aftercare as it relates to Breast Cancer. This disease for years was taboo to speak about because it involved women’s breasts. Thank God for Betty Ford who was so courageous and outspoken about her breast cancer. She was a pioneer that helped to raise awareness about breast cancer and the need for more funding to find a cure.

Here are a few facts from a great resource, breastcancer.org:

About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.

In 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,930 new cases of noninvasive (in situ) breast cancer.

About 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2019. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883.

About 41,760 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2019 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1989. Women under 50 have experienced larger decreases. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.

For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.

As of January 2019, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.

About 5-10% of breast cancers can be linked to gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common.

About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).

Thank you to breast cancer survivors Barbara Peeler, Dana Repka and Jessica Tom for participating in the Pleasanton Express’ ad campaign to encourage monthly breast examinations and annual mammograms.

NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES is the Publisher/Managing Editor of the Pleasanton Express. You may reach her at nwilkersonholmes@pleasantonexpress.com.

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