Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. About 10% of all new cases in the United States are found in women younger than 45.
Get the Facts.
- 62% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%
- 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Female breast cancer represents 15.2% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.
- Men get breast cancer too. The lifetime risk for U.S men is about 1 in 1,000.
Take Action.
- Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer.
- By performing breast cancer self-exams, you will be able to identify any changes in your breast easily.
- Look for nipple tenderness, a lump or thickening in or near the breast/underarm area, a change in the skin texture, or an enlargement of pores.
- Also, look for any unexplained change in the breast’s size or shape, dimpling, swelling, shrinkage, or recent asymmetry.
Additional Symptoms
- The skin on the breast may dimple or look like an orange peel.
- A change in the nipple. It may turn in. The skin around it may look scaly.
- A fluid that comes out of the nipple.
Talk to your doctor about your risk. Find out when to start having mammograms and how often you need one. If your doctor confirms that you have a high or very high risk, ask about ways to reduce your risk, such as getting extra screening, taking medicine, or having surgery.
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, ask your doctor about genetic testing. The test can check for gene changes that increase your risk of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Call Community Health Net to schedule an appointment with a provider today: (814) 455-7222. Or visit www.communityhealthnet.org for more information. 
Our health information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist the public to learn more about their health. Community Health Net providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
Health Facts is a public service partnership of Community Health Net and CF Cares of Country Fair Stores, Inc.