October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and cancer is a word no one wants to hear or think about, but the reality is – it is more common now than ever before, and it affects not only the patient, but their family + friends as well.

More than wearing pink or participating in local events, here are some things everyone should know about breast cancer, because knowledge is power, and the more proactive we can be about screening the closer we will get to a world with less cancer.

South Carolina Breast Cancer Mortality Map (2013-2017) | Map via SC Cancer

While both men + women can be diagnosed with breast cancer, 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

○ Nationally, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, no matter their race or ethnicity.
○ Breast cancer is also the most common cancer among women in South Carolina + the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the state.
○ In South Carolina, approximately 3,845 women are diagnosed with breast cancer + 678 die from the disease each year.
○ Regular screenings are key to early detection and prevention. You may qualify for free screenings, read more about that here.

The good news is, due to breast cancer screening + early detection, long-term survival rates for breast cancer have improved dramatically over the last several decades, according to SCDHEC.

In the 1960s (about 60 years ago), 63 out of 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer were still living five years following their diagnosis of breast cancer. Today, 90 out of 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer are still living five years following diagnosis.

If you or someone you know has breast cancer, there are local programs that offer support and resources including the SC Cancer Alliance, Susan G. Komen South Carolina and Cancer Support Groups + various programs found through Roper St. Francis Cancer Care and MUSC Health’s Hollings Cancer Center.