Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cass Health Nurse Practitioner Megan Frederiksen says the numbers are striking.
In Iowa, the most recent data shows more than three thousand cases in the last year, or about fourteen percent of all cancers diagnosed are breast cancer. There is good news. Frederiksen says the survivor rate is growing.
Risk factors include for breast cancer can include family history, age, certain races or ethnicity, alcohol use, weight and breast density. Frederiksen says some of these can be managed.
Frederiksen says early diagnosis is key and regular cancer screenings are recommended.
Frederiksen says regular screenings can be scheduled with your family doctor.
