Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Cassandra Cotton, Nathan Adelson Hospice Community Outreach Manager

Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a time to educate women about breast cancer and early detection and celebrate the many survivors. Breast cancer survivors and those with breast cancer are encouraged to share their stories.

Every October, people all over the world show their support for everyone affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Statistics show that around one in eight women in the U.S. will get breast cancer at some point in their lives.

According to Susan G. Komen, an estimated 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. throughout 2022, along with 51,400 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 2,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2022.

University of Las Vegas School of Public Health, Division of Health Sciences reports that Southern Nevada had a higher incidence of cancer, more cancer deaths, lower screening rates and lower survival rates than Northern Nevada. Yet, 70 percent of all cancer cases occur in Southern Nevada. Additionally, survival rates for breast cancer in Northern Nevada are near 82 percent after four years, which is roughly the national average; in Southern Nevada, survival rates are almost 10 percentage points lower.

Research and growing knowledge about breast cancer has led to new therapies and targeted treatments that improve outcomes for many people and have replaced the one-size-fits-all treatments of three decades ago. It is research that brings hope to patients facing this disease. In addition, we need to ensure options for patients — especially when treatments stop working.

Palliative Care

Palliative medicine, or palliative care, is specialized medical care focused on relief of the pain, symptoms and stress of a serious illness such as breast cancer. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your family. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in your illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.