October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign focused on raising awareness about breast cancer, encouraging early detection and connecting individuals with screening and support resources.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be faced with a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and an estimated 382,640 women in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease this year.
Breast cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that more than 10,000 women in the state are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. And the disease does not just impact women, with men also being susceptible to the disease.
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, individuals are encouraged to learn about risk factors, recognize potential warning signs and talk with their healthcare providers about when breast cancer screening may be appropriate.
For more information about breast cancer and available screening resources, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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