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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Columbia Pacific CCO is proud to raise awareness of this disease.

Overall, a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime—and men can develop it, too. However, when caught in its earliest stages, the survival rate for breast cancer is 99 percent. Including other stages of breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 91 percent.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It’s a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Each year, about 42,250 women die from breast cancer. But many more survive it, especially when it’s caught early.

What increases my risk for breast cancer?

Some things can increase your risk for developing breast cancer, such as:

• A family history of breast cancer (genetics)
• Being obese (very overweight)
• Drinking a lot of alcohol
• Using tobacco (smoking)
• Being older
• Not exercising
• Having dense breast tissue

However, breast cancer can still develop in women who don’t have any of these factors. And just because you have them doesn’t mean you will definitely get breast cancer.

The top things you can do to prevent breast cancer are to live a healthy life and get regular breast cancer screenings. 

Breast cancer and Black women

Even though Black women have a 4% lower chance of getting breast cancer than white women, they have a 40% higher rate of dying from it. This is partly because Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage, when it is harder to treat. But it’s also because they may not be able to access high-quality cancer treatment, and can face other disparities, like systemic racism in the health care system.

Columbia Pacific CCO stresses the importance of breast cancer screening for all our members, including Black women.

Signs and -symptoms of breast cancer

It’s also good to know the signs of breast cancer in case you notice them in between mammograms, or before you start getting them:

• A new, painless lump in your breast
• Painful or swollen lymph nodes (under your armpits)
• Breast pain or swelling
• Pain in any area of your breast
• A change in the size or shape of your breast
• Nipple discharge (other than breast milk if you’re nursing), including blood
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area

Not all breast lumps are caused by cancer, but some are. If you have any of these symptoms, or just think you might, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.

Some women have what’s called dense breast tissue. It means you have less fatty tissue in your breasts. There’s nothing wrong with it, but dense tissue can increase your risk for breast cancer. Your doctor can tell you if you have dense breast tissue and take it into consideration for your breast cancer screening schedule.

Performing a breast self-exam

A breast self-exam allows you to feel what’s normal for your breasts, so you can be aware of any changes. If something does change, you can talk to your doctor.

Doctors recommend performing a breast self-exam every month to check for lumps. It’s good to do this after your period ends, since your breast can swell during that time. Pick the same time each month to do it.

Here’s a video on how to do a breast self-exam.

How is breast cancer diagnosed and treated?

Breast cancer is diagnosed through a series of tests, which usually includes:

• Mammogram
• Breast ultrasound
• Biopsy
• Breast MRI

These tests will also help doctors see what stage your cancer is at (I, II, III, or IV). The stage of the breast cancer will determine the best treatment.

Treatment options for breast cancer can include:

• Lumpectomy
• Mastectomy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy (biologic therapy)
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal therapy

What should I do for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

If you’re a woman, start doing a monthly breast self-exam. Schedule your next mammogram or talk to your doctor if you haven’t had one before.

If you’re a Columbia Pacific CCO member and have questions about your benefits, send us a secure message through our Member Portal or call us at 503-488-2822, toll-free 855-722-8206 or TTY 711.

There are over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, so chances are you know at least one. Celebrate the breast cancer survivors in your life!

If someone you love is undergoing breast cancer treatment, check in with them to say you’re thinking about them.

Ready to test your knowledge of breast cancer? Take the CareOregon Breast Cancer Awareness Quiz!

More resources:

• Columbia Pacific CCO: Women’s health
• American Cancer Society: What Is Breast Cancer?
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Symptoms of Breast Cancer
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Dense Breasts
• Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center: What Black women need to know about breast cancer