October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 1-800-PACK-RAT is going pink to honor those who have lost the battle, those who are currently fighting, and those who have survived. Breast cancer awareness is vital for not only working towards a cure, but helping women to recognize the symptoms and to understand preventative measures.
Tell Us Who Inspires You
Inspired by someone in your life who has been affected by breast cancer? Whether it's a cancer survivor, advocate, caretaker, researcher, or anyone in between, we all are inspired and empowered by the people who are tackling this disease head-on.
Who inspires you? Let us know and we'll send you a personalized pink container you can share with them to show them how much they mean to you and how their fight has inspired you. Check out our Facebook page to see the growing number of people that are honoring the special people who have inspired them.Awareness Leads to Prevention: Breast Cancer Facts You May Not Know
1. About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
2. The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).
3. About 5-10% of breast cancers can be linked to gene mutations (abnormal changes) inherited from one's mother or father.
4. A women's risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
5. In 2015, there are more than 2.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S.
6. In 2015, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S.
7. About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
For more information, resources or to find fundraising events near you, visit komen.org.