Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer
is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women.
Of all the cancers, only lung cancer
kills more women than breast cancer.
Around 215,000 new
cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among US
women each year.
Around 40,000 women will
die of breast cancer in the United States.
If detected early, the 5-year survival
rate for localized breast cancer is 97%.
75% of all breast cancers occur in women
over 50 years of age.
The risk of breast cancer increases
with age.
A mammogram exposes a woman to less
radiation than a dental x-ray.
Scientists have found that regular screening
mammograms among women 50-69 years of age can reduce deaths
by 30%.
Cervical Cancer
The incidence of invasive cervical cancer
has decreased a great deal over the last 40 years mainly because
of Pap tests and treatment of precancerous conditions.
A Pap test can detect abnormal cells
before they become cancerous and treatment can be used to prevent
cancer.
Each year, around 13,000 new cases
of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.
Each year, around 5,000 women will
die of cervical cancer in the United States.
Almost half of women who die from cervical
cancer are older than age 65.
Routine screening can prevent cervical
cancer.
When cervical conditions are discovered
and treated at a pre-cancerous stage, the survival rate is
nearly 100%.