Breast Cancer Awareness

This Sunday, the 10th of October, hundreds (if not thousands) of people in Puerto Rico will either be walking or running the 5K "Race for the Cure" organized by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. October is breast cancer awareness month, a disease in which 1 in 13 women born on the island were diagnosed with between 1999-2003. Moreover, it is the most common cancer developed among Hispanic women. Many people are unaware of this fact but breast cancer is also a disease which can affect men. Like most cancers, early detection is crucial and performing a breast self exam can be extremely helpful to that end.

Here are some important facts and statistics on breast cancer:

• Over 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer had no family history of this disease.
  
• Once women reach their 40's and 50's, most are told to get an annual mammogram, which many doctors see as the most effective tool to detect breast cancer. However, the value of mammograms is now in dispute.
  
• Exercising on a regular basis, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol consumption are some of the most effective ways to prevent breast cancer.
• The chances of surviving breast cancer largely depends on the stage in which the disease has entered. For those diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer, in 2001 and 2002,the five year survival rate was 93% while those in stage IV was 15% during the same period.
  

(The graphic above was obtained from Wikipedia)