Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s important to recognize the most common cancer among American women.

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast cancer.

There are different symptoms of breast cancer and some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include any change in the size or the shape of the breast, pain in any area of the breast, nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood), and a new lump in the breast or underarm. If you have any signs that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.

41,374 people died of breast cancer in 2011, according to the most recent national data.

In 2010, 67% of women 40 years of age and over who had a mammogram within the past 2 years and there were 16 million physician office visits during which mammograms were ordered or provided.

There were 2.7 million hospital outpatient department visits during which mammograms were ordered or provided in 2010.

For more information on breast cancer:

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/BreastCancerAwareness/

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mammography.htm