Every October, pink ribbons appear on storefronts, sports jerseys, and coffee cups across the country. They are a welcome reminder, but awareness only goes so far. The step that truly changes outcomes is a simple one: getting screened on schedule. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Horizon Family Medical Group is asking every woman in our community to check one thing off her list, and to make sure the women she loves do the same.
Breast Cancer by the Numbers
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, apart from skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026:
- About 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer
- Another 60,730 will be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive, early form of the disease
- About 42,140 women will die from breast cancer, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in women
- Roughly 2,670 men will also be diagnosed, a reminder that breast cancer is not only a women’s disease
Put another way, about 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime, and breast cancer accounts for nearly 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women. It isn’t only an older woman’s concern, either: about 10% of new cases are found in women 45 and younger.
Why Early Detection Makes All the Difference
Here is the encouraging part. When breast cancer is found at a localized stage, before it has spread beyond the breast, the five-year relative survival rate is better than 99%. Today, about two-thirds of breast cancers are caught at that early stage, and only around 6% have already spread to distant parts of the body at diagnosis.
Screening is a big reason why. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women ages 50 to 74 who get a mammogram every two years have a 26% lower risk of dying from breast cancer than women who are not screened. Thanks to regular screening and better treatments, breast cancer death rates in women fell by 44% between 1989 and 2022, and there are now more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
A mammogram can find changes in breast tissue years before a lump can be felt. That head start often means more treatment options, less aggressive treatment, and a far better chance of a full recovery.
When Should You Start?
In 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended age to begin routine screening from 50 to 40. Women at average risk are now advised to have a mammogram every two years from age 40 through 74. Some organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, support screening every one to two years beginning at 40. Your provider can help you decide which schedule makes the most sense for you.
You may need to start earlier, or be screened more often, if you have:
- A mother, sister, or daughter who has had breast or ovarian cancer
- A known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation (found in about 5% to 10% of women with breast cancer)
- Dense breast tissue, which roughly doubles breast cancer risk and can make mammograms harder to read
- A personal history of breast cancer, or radiation to the chest at a young age
Screening is especially important for Black women, who are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women and are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage.
What to Expect at Your Mammogram
Many women put off screening because they feel nervous about the appointment itself. A screening mammogram usually takes about 20 minutes, and the compression lasts only a few seconds per image. Modern digital and 3D mammography uses a very low dose of radiation and produces clearer images than ever. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover screening mammograms at no cost to you. One tip: skip deodorant, lotion, or powder on the day of your exam, since they can show up on the images.
If you are called back for more imaging, try not to panic. Most callbacks turn out to be nothing serious. They are simply part of making sure nothing is missed.
Don’t Ignore Changes Between Screenings
Screening works best alongside knowing your own body. Let your provider know right away if you notice a new lump, swelling, skin dimpling, nipple changes or discharge, or pain that doesn’t go away, even if your last mammogram was normal.
Take the First Step Today
This month, wear the pink ribbon, share this article, and most importantly, make the call. If you’re 40 or older and can’t remember your last mammogram, it’s time. Your Horizon Family Medical Group provider can review your risk, answer your questions, and help arrange your screening.
Call us at 1-800-859-0085 or book online at horizonbooking.com. Early detection saves lives, and it starts with one appointment.