By DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It accounts for about 30% of all new female cancers each year. In the United States, about one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Anyone can get breast cancer regardless of their age, race, or ethnicity. Breast cancer can also affect men. Understanding what it is, its risk factors, and how to spot it early could make a big difference in saving people’s lives.
Breast cancer begins when cells in the breast tissue grow out of control, forming a lump or a mass. Most breast lumps are benign and not cancerous, but any breast lump or change to the breast tissue needs to be checked by a health care professional to discover whether it’s benign or if it’s cancerous, and what steps need to be taken next. If breast cancer isn’t caught early, it can spread from the breast tissue to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer remains the second most leading cause of death among women in the United States. In 2022, 32.1% female breast cancer cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage in Polk County compared to Florida at 30.3%. In 2023, the rate of death from female breast cancer in Polk County was 21.2 compared to Florida at 18.1.
While breast cancer can affect anyone, there are certain factors that increase risk. Some risks are unavoidable. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, and family history of breast cancer are just some of the risk factors for breast cancer that people can’t change. However, there are other risk factors that people can control, including obesity, alcohol consumption, and not being physically active. It’s important to note that even without any of these risk factors, someone could develop breast cancer.
You are the person most familiar with your body and the person most likely to flag any abnormal changes from day to day. So, being aware of how your breasts look and feel is an important part of breast health. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. You should watch out for a lump in the breast or underarm, any unexplained swelling or redness, any dimpling or puckering of breast skin, any nipple changes or discharge, or any persistent breast pain. It’s crucial to note that not all breast cancers cause symptoms. However, if you have any of these signs, it’s recommended to get checked out by your medical provider.
While knowing signs can help catch abnormalities, mammograms remain the best way to detect breast cancer early. A mammogram is the regular screening for breast cancer. These are the current mammogram recommendations:
- Women ages 40 to 44: You have the option to start annual mammograms.
- Women ages 45 to 54: You should get annual mammograms.
- Women 55 and older: You can continue annual mammograms or switch to screenings every two years.
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program allows eligible Florida residents to get recommended breast cancer screenings for free or low cost. Polk County residents can call 813-307-8082 to see if they qualify.
Today, there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, including women still being treated and those who have completed treatment. Nationally, breast cancer rates have been decreasing steadily each year, and that’s due to early detection, increased awareness, and better treatments. Let’s take part in this decreasing trend here in Polk County by knowing our risks, watching for changes, and keeping up with our regular screenings.
About the author: Dr. Alison Young-Tan, an internal medicine/pediatrics physician, currently serves the community as medical director for the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk).