You’ve probably heard that one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But other, lesser-known stats about breast cancer paint a brighter picture of how advances in detection and medicine have given many of these women another chance at life. Check out these facts from organizations including the American Cancer Society and the National Breast Cancer Foundation:

1. Each year, almost 250,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer – about one every two minutes. But thanks to self-checks and regular mammograms, it’s often caught early.
2. Just under 30% of all cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancers. However, there’s still a bigger danger: skin cancer. Many skin cancers, however, are easily preventable with the right sun protection.
3. While it pays to be concerned if your mother or sister had breast cancer, there’s no reason to panic. Less than 15% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the same. The best thing any woman can do is continue with self-checks and follow her doctor’s advice on mammograms and other testing.
4. Thanks to early detection, advances in surgical techniques and the development of new treatments, huge progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer over the last two decades. Survival rates in the United States and other developed countries are now well over 80%.
5. With more women surviving breast cancer, newly diagnosed patients are no longer alone. Instead, they have strong support from women who have walked the path before them. As of 2016, there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

While researchers, doctors and patients are putting up quite a fight against breast cancer, these cancers continue to take about 40,000 lives each year in the United States. Thanks to early detection and effective treatments, however, the stats about breast cancer continue to trend downward. Today, more women survive breast cancer than ever before. If you have concerns about how to reduce your risk, talk to your doctor during your next visit.

Advice or recommendations are for informational or educational purposes only, not a substitute for a visit or consultation with your doctor.

Leah Newman

Leah Newman is a freelance writer with particular interest in health and wellness, law, and personal finance. Her background is in journalism, and includes several years as a staff writer and editor at a daily newspaper. She has previously worked at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, YMCA Camp Widjiwagan and Atlanta Motor Speedway. Leah lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

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