There’s a good chance you’ve been affected by breast cancer, whether through your own experience or perhaps that of a friend, coworker, or relative. Aside from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with 1 in 8 women — or 13% of the nation’s population — facing diagnosis in their lifetime. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a woman is diagnosed every two minutes in the U.S. Those statistics are undoubtedly frightening.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to catch the disease early, when treatment is often more successful. Regular breast self-exams and mammograms go a long way in early detection. In fact, it was Winter Haven breast cancer survivor Caitlyn Grady’s first mammogram that spurred a flurry of scans and radiation treatments to fight invasive ductal carcinoma in her left breast. You can learn more about Grady’s journey on page 10 of this edition.
Also inside, Dr. Joy Jackson dispels prevalent breast cancer myths that keep some women from seeking care, and the Pop Quiz puts your knowledge to the test: Are you performing your self-exam correctly?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but it’s so much more than just a time to wear pink. It’s a time to ask yourself and your loved ones one question: Have you had your mammogram this year?
