This post may contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to increase awareness of breast cancer and provides information and support to those affected by the disease. Additionally, it helps to raise funds for breast cancer research, cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
We all know that lifestyle choices concerning our diets, exercise habits, and other behaviors are important to our long-term health. When it comes to breast cancer, the more you know about detection and treatment, the more you can stay ahead of any life-changing diagnoses.
Breast Cancer Facts
The American Cancer Society (ACS) 2015 breast cancer estimates:
- Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women following skin cancer.
- Roughly 1 in 8 (12%) U.S. women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives.
- Each year about 231,340 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the U.S.
- Only about 5 percent to 10 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
- Certain benign breast conditions may increase your risk of breast cancer.
Early Detection
Early detection through preventative screening can save lives. Millions of U.S. women are surviving breast cancer due to early detection through preventative screenings, increased awareness, and improved treatment options.
Preventative screenings are tests used to find a disease like cancer in people without symptoms. The goal of breast cancer screening exams is to find cancers before symptoms emerge, like a lump. Breast cancer discovered during screening are more likely to be smaller and confined to the breast. In fact, when caught early, breast cancer survival rate is as high as 99 percent!
Breast Screening Guidelines
For women without breast symptoms, ACS recommends:
- If you’re 40 and over you should have an annual mammogram to detect breast abnormalities too small for you or your doctor to feel.
- Women in their 20s and 30s should be performing breast self-exam (BSE) at home in addition to a clinical breast exam (CBE) every one to three years as part of their health exams.
Breast Cancer Insurance Policies
Autumn is open enrollment season for insurance in many U.S. companies allowing you to review and choose health insurance policies to best meet your financial and health care needs. We all know the importance of health insurance for when the unexpected medical emergency occurs. While no one expects to get cancer, having insurance that covers your cancer needs is essential to your recovery and welfare.
Even with early detection, breast cancer treatment is expensive. The exact cost of breast cancer treatment varies widely. Your health coverage, breast cancer type, and the stage it was detected affect the treatment cost. Breast cancer patients with employer-sponsored health insurance can expect to spend $6,553 out-of-pocket!
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer (or any cancer), your focus should be on recovery, not finances. Aflac’s cancer insurance plans can help ease your mind by assisting with expenses not covered by health insurance like transportation to/from appointments, living expenses, or child care expenses. Plus, Aflac’s One Day PaySM allows Aflac to process, approve, and pay claims in ONE day, so you can have cash in hand sooner than before*.
Aflac’s Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Aflac is partnering with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) for its second annual “This Duck Wears Pink” campaign. Aflac supports AACR’s groundbreaking work as the first and largest cancer research organization in the world. Aflac is helping by selling campaign-related merchandise with all the net proceeds going to the AACR for funding for breast cancer research. You can donate and shop for merchandise HERE.
How are you participating in breast cancer awareness month?
*One Day PaySM available for most properly documented, individual claims submitted online through Aflac SmartClaim® by 3 PM ET.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
This post may contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.
It is so important for women to do monthly self breast exams. It could save your life.
I didn’t realize that skin cancer was more common than breast cancer in women. I have to admit that I’ve not had my mammo this year but I’ve got my appointment to get one.
This is such a great article because of the straightforward information it gives to keep people as healthy as possible. Only wish that colon cancer, a disease close to my heart, gets the same amount of support as breast cancer one day.
Amanda recently posted…Shopping Locally with Citizen Smalls
These are some scary facts! I didn’t realize that 1 out of 8 woman will get breast cancer. That’s a lot more than I thought.
I really think it’s awesome that companies are supporting Breast Cancer Awareness. Early detection is key when it comes to this illness. And no woman or man should suffer from it.
You reminded me to make my appointment for my mammogram. I really appreciate companies that support important causes like this one.
Early detection is very important. I am glad people are bringing awareness.
That is the great article. It is important to have a Breast check up It could save your life.
Great article. Thanks for bringing awareness. This would be helpful for every women and mine too.
Onica{MommyFactor} recently posted…Julie Andrews Visits Broadway’s Finding Neverland Musical
WOW! Those statistics and facts are really disturbing but much needed. Thank you for informing us!
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I get a mammogram every year. I have had lumps but they are always fiberous.
Preventive check ups are very impotant. This is what saved my aunt from the killer C.
I like the team up. I think it’s wonderful when great companies come together to make a positive change, for a good cause.
It’s so great that AFLAC is teaming up to help fight breast cancer.
It’s sad to think that we probably all know someone who has been touched with breast cancer. Self-exams are so important.
I’m 36 so I’m not at the regular check up age, but it’s something I have thought about many time and even had a slight scare a few years ago.
I’m way overdue on an examination so I have got to do this. My mom had breast cancer, and I think that’s why I’m afraid.
AFLAC sounds great, every month we should check up our breast so it would prevent breast cancer.
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So important that we support this awareness. As someone who has cancer run in her family this hits clsoe to home.
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