October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Chances are you or someone you know has been affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. According to the CDC, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Women in the U.S. have a 1 in 8 (or about 13 percent) lifetime risk of getting breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 42,000 women will die from breast cancer in 2025.
Women who have smoked for many years appear to have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Women who are current smokers and have been smoking for more than 10 years have approximately a 10 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women who have never smoked.
There are things you can do today to help limit your risk of developing breast cancer. These include:
* Being physically active
* Maintain a healthy weight
* Avoid alcohol
* Quit smoking
Early detection is key for all cancers, but especially breast cancer. Women over the age of 40 are recommended to begin getting annual screenings for breast cancer. Here in Daviess County, Daviess Community Hospital (DCH) offers breast cancer screening and treatment. Additionally, Daviess Community hospital is a recipient of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust grant, which provides free screenings for women who are uninsured or underinsured.
The benefits of quitting smoking are greater when women stop smoking at younger ages, but quitting at any time is great for your health. There are free resources to help you quit. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or visit Quitnowindiana.com to get started on your tobacco-free journey. For more information on our local coalition, please visit us at 'Daviess County Tobacco-Free Coalition' on Facebook.
Olivia Findlay
Daviess County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coordinator
Sharon Mead, RN, OCN, ONN-CG