October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States — and knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for prevention and early detection.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation:

– 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
– This year, more than 316,950 women and 2,800 men are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
– An additional 59,080 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer will also be diagnosed.

These numbers are sobering — but understanding your risk factors and making informed choices can help you take control of your health and lower your risk.

Understanding Breast Cancer Risk

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of breast cancer, but they do know the factors that can increase risk. Some can’t be changed, like your age or genetics. Others, like exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption, are lifestyle-related and can be modified.

By making healthy choices where possible — and staying informed about your personal risks — you can help lower your chances of developing the disease. If a factor can't be changed (such as your genetics), you can learn about protective steps to help keep your risk as low as possible.

Risk Factors

• Gender: Women are about 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than men.

• Age: About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older.

• Personal History: Previous breast, endometrial, ovarian, or colon cancer raises risk.

• Family History: Having a close relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer increases risk.

• Genetics: About 5–10% of breast cancers are hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.

• Benign Breast Conditions: Certain non-cancerous breast conditions can increase risk.

• Ethnicity: White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but Black women are more likely to face aggressive or advanced-stage disease.

• Obesity: Being overweight or obese raises risk, especially after menopause.

• Childbirth: Having a first child after 30, or never having children, increases risk.

• Menstrual History: Early periods (before 12) or late menopause (after 55) raise lifetime exposure to hormones, increasing risk.

• Birth Control: Some hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase risk.

• Alcohol: Any amount increases the risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

• Dense Breast Tissue: Makes cancers harder to detect and raises risk.

• Lack of Exercise: Regular physical activity lowers breast cancer risk.

• Smoking: Linked to higher risk in pre-menopausal women.

• DES Exposure: Women exposed in utero to DES (a drug given from the 1940s–60s) may have a slightly higher risk.

• Diet: The American Cancer Society estimates 30–40% of all cancers are linked to dietary factors.

Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

While breast cancer can sometimes be found through symptoms, many people have none. Common warning signs include:

– A new lump or mass
– Swelling in part of the breast
– Skin dimpling
– Breast or nipple pain
– Nipple discharge (not breast milk)
– Red, dry, flaky, or thickened breast/nipple skin

If you notice any of these changes, see your doctor promptly.

Screening Saves Lives

Early detection dramatically improves outcomes. Common screening tests include:

– Mammograms (the gold standard for screening)
– Breast ultrasounds
– Breast MRIs (for those at higher risk)

For women with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured, the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammograms.

At CMedEd, we believe every woman deserves access to trusted, clear, and actionable information — no matter her background, income, or zip code. By learning about your risk and staying proactive, you can make informed decisions that may save your life.

Visit our dedicated Breast Cancer Hub for more information, tools, and resources in English and Spanish.

Click here to learn more about Breast Cancer