Breast cancer occurs when abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumors (WHO, 2025). If it is untreated, the tumors can spread and eventually become fatal. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but the majority of those affected with the disease are women. In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women apart from skin cancers. One in three women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer each year (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2025). This year the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that nearly 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 59,080 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed. They also estimate that approximately 42,170 women will lose their life this year to breast cancer in the U.S. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death of women in this country. However, strides are being made, breast cancer death rates have declined 44% since 1989. This decrease is due to early detection which is the result of bringing attention to breast cancer, screenings, and better treatments.
Some women are more at risk of developing breast cancer than others, so it is important to identify the things that can increase a woman’s risk. There are lifestyle and biological factors that lead to a greater likelihood that a person will develop breast cancer (ACS, 2025). They include the following:
- Drinking alcohol
- Excess body weight
- Not physically active
- Not having children
- Not breastfeeding
- Birth control
- Breast implants
- Being born female
- Age (risk increases as women get older)
- Certain gene changes
- Family history
- Race/ethnicity
- Height
- Dense breast tissue
- Early onset of menstruation
While no absolute way to prevent breast cancer has yet been determined, steps can be taken to reduce risk. They include:
- Keep a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Limit/avoid alcohol
- Breastfeeding
- Genetic counseling/testing
- Preventive surgery for high-risk women
In addition to prevention, breast cancer screening is another powerful tool to prevent this disease. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all individuals at average risk of breast cancer should begin screening mammography at age 40. They also continue to recommend that women are screened every one or two years based on informed, shared decision-making between them and their health care provider. Their recommendation is aligned with and follows the guidelines outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Knowing your risk and screening for breast cancer are important in the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. However, there are times when treatment will be necessary. Fortunately, there are available treatments for those who are diagnosed with breast cancer. There are local treatments (e.g., surgery and radiation) that can treat tumors without affecting the rest of the body. Additionally, there are systemic treatments which are drugs that can reach cells throughout the body. They can be given orally, through muscle injection, or into the bloodstream. The systemic treatments are your chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy treatments.
During this breast cancer awareness month, we encourage you to speak to your healthcare provider about your risk of breast cancer to determine your next step. Also, if you are interested in learning more, you can check out resources from organizations focused on bringing awareness to breast cancer. A few of them are provided here.
Resources
American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Tools and Resources
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
References
American Cancer Society. 2025. Breast cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html
American Cancer Society. 5 May 2025. Key statistics for breast cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 10 October 24. ACOG updates recommendation on when to begin breast cancer screening mammography. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2024/10/acog-updates-recommendation-when-to-begin-breast-cancer-screening-mammography
The World Health Organization. 14 August 2025. Breast cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. 30 April 2024. Breast cancer: screening. Retrieved from: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening#bcei-recommendation-title-area
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