Breast Cancer has now overtaken lung cancer as the world’s most commonly-diagnosed cancer according to statistics released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in December 2020. 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 American Cancer Society reports when breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the 5 year relative survival rate is 99 percent. Early detection includes identifying any changes in the breasts doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, many symptoms may be invisible without professional screening, but some symptoms may be caught early by being proactive about your breast health. Warning signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. The most common signs are a change in the look or feel to the breast, a change in the look or feel to the nipple or nipple discharge. IARC estimates that there were more than 2.26 million new cases of breast cancer and almost 685,000 deaths from breast cancer worldwide in 2020. Breast cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in women and the fifth most common cause of cancer death overall. In 2021, it's estimated that about 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, San Ysidro Health (SYH) will host a press conference in partnership with Northgate Gonzalez Market on Oct.21 where free onsite mammogram screenings will be offered to community members. The event will begin at 8 a.m to 3:30 p.m at 1058 3rd Avenue. The Every Woman Counts (EWC) program, a government funded program, covers screening exams for cervical cancer and breast cancer for uninsured patients.
