October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide effort created to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education, and research. Join Abarca in this cause to help prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer, as we also celebrate the many brave men and women who have survived this disease.
After skin cancer, breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among American women. It also remains the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. In 2026, an estimated 382,640 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer, including about 321,910 invasive cases and 60,730 non-invasive (DCIS) cases. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer accounts for roughly 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. These cells may spread (metastasize) through the breast to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.
Breast Cancer Warning Signs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, different people have different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all. Some warning signs include:
- New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
- Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
- Any change in the size or shape of the breast
- Pain in any area of the breast
It’s important to keep in mind that these symptoms can occur with other conditions that are not cancer. That’s why screenings are essential and can save lives.
Understanding Your Risk
Though many people believe that breast cancer is most linked to genetics, this is actually not the case. In fact, only 5-10% of BC cases are believed to be caused by abnormal genes. According to David Capó, Medical Epidemiologist, any woman can get breast cancer, but if you have a strong family history of the disease or inherited abnormalities in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, your risk is higher.
The most significant factors that influence risk include being a woman and getting older, with most breast cancers found in women 50 years old or older, though it also affects younger women; about 11% of new breast cancer cases in the U.S. are found in women younger than 45.
Other risk factors include:
- Previous treatment using radiation therapy. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts before age 30 have a higher risk of getting BC later in life.
- Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) have a higher risk. DES was given to some pregnant women in the U.S. between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage; women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them are also at higher risk.
- Other factors such as smoking, exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, and hormone changes due to night shift work may also increase risk. (Source: American Cancer Society)
The truth is, some women will get breast cancer even without any apparent risk factors. Likewise, having a risk factor does not mean a person will get the disease, and not all risk factors carry the same weight.
How to Lower Your Risk
You can’t change some factors, such as getting older or your family history, but you can help lower your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health in the following ways:
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit alcohol, or avoid it altogether.
- If you are taking, or have been told to take, hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, ask your doctor about potential safety risks, since breast cancer can be hormone-sensitive.
- If possible, breastfeed your children.
- If you have a family history of BC or inherited abnormalities in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk.
Mammograms and Early Detection
Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you notice symptoms such as lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern. If a lump is found, it’s highly recommended to get a mammogram (an X-ray of the breast) to determine whether the cells are benign or malignant.
Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat, and before it’s big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of death from breast cancer.
Recommendations for when to start mammograms vary slightly by organization. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a mammogram every two years for women ages 40 to 74 at average risk. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women ages 40-44 have the option to begin annual screening. Annual mammograms are recommended for all women starting at age 45, with the option to switch to screening every other year starting at age 55.
Support and Resources
If you or someone you know has breast cancer, know that support is out there through support groups, financial assistance, and community programs. There are various treatment options available depending on the type and stage of the cancer; talk to a healthcare provider to find out which is right for you.
The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women across the U.S. Use this link to find a screening program near you.
For more information about breast cancer prevention, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer (PDQ) resource. You can also support the search for the next breakthrough cancer treatment by donating to the American Cancer Society.
How Abarca Supports Breast Cancer Awareness
Abarca is dedicated to finding a better way in healthcare and powering solutions to improve the health and quality of life of women in our communities. Staying healthy throughout your life can lower your risk of developing cancer, and improve your chances of survival if it does occur.
By raising awareness of breast cancer and educating women on early detection, we can save lives.
Beating cancer takes every approach, every idea, and every person.
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Sources: American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, National Cancer Institute.
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Originally published October 1, 2019.
Updated October 1, 2026.
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Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Mariana Restrepo