at The Irish Social Club of Boston in West Roxbury Ma.

Breast Cancer... A silent killer, which does not discriminate against age, skin color, ethnic background, sex or creed and is the second most common cause of death from cancer among women around the world. 

Did you know? 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and is estimated that in 2024, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be of breast cancer with an estimated 43,550 dying from breast cancer in the U.S. alone and an average of 1 in 8 women in the U.S. being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime? 

That every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S.? And though rare, men are also victims of breast cancer with an estimated 2,710 being diagnosed with the disease with 530 men approximately dying from it in 2022 in the U.S. alone?  

What is Breast Cancer? 

First off, let’s talk about what cancer is. Cancer is the result of the mutation of genes responsible for the growth and health of cells in the body. This abnormal cell proliferation may occur in the breast cells, resulting in a tumor. Symptoms typical of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or armpit, change in breast size or shape, fluid coming from the nipple, changes in the skin over the breast for example, dimpling scaling, peeling or flaking, particularly the dark area around the nipple, which is called the areola. 

Risk factors for breast cancer include genetics, obesity, alcohol consumption and hormone therapy. Environmental factors can be a cause also. As one gets older, the risk of developing breast cancer increases. The 5-year relative survival rate is 99% for the 65% of breast cancer cases that are diagnosed at a localized stage (meaning that there is no sign the cancer has spread outside of the breast). 

Knowledge is power 

Here are some helpful tips which are key to Awareness and Detection: 

• Practice routine self-examinations and know your risks and family history. 
• Visit your doctor regularly and know when you should have your mammograms. 
• Follow up with your doctor after screenings or tests. 
• Exercise regularly and keep a healthy weight. 
• Avoid alcohol or limit alcoholic drinks. 
• Breastfeed your children when possible. 
• If you are taking or have been told to take hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, ask your doctor about the risks and if it is right for you. 

If you have a family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, talk to your doctor about other ways to lower you risk. 

Staying healthy throughout your life will lower your risk of developing cancer and improve your chances of surviving if cancer does occur.