Think Pink: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the United States (aside from skin cancer) and the second leading cause of death in women.  Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in one or both of the breasts.  Breast cancer usually develops in the ducts or lobules, also known as the milk-producing areas of the breast.

While there is no way to prevent breast cancer, there are things that can be done to reduce risk factors.  Women who limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy body weight have a lower risk of getting breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, high risk women are those who have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, but have not had genetic testing themselves, had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years and have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes.  Women at moderately increased risk have a personal history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) or have extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breasts when viewed by mammograms.

In addition to risk factors, early detection is important for an increased chance that treatment will be effective.  Breast cancer can be detected through self and clinical examinations, mammograms and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing.  Women should consult with their physician and decide which method is best for them based on their personal risk factors.

If you are unsure about your personal risk factors or are concerned about something you discovered while self examining your breast, please see your doctor immediately.

Messa & Associates has been involved in numerous cases involving delay in and failure to diagnose cancer including breast cancer because of a medical professionals’ failure to detect by mammogram, failing to recognize symptoms or failure to follow up on family history or a lump.  Our attorneys have obtained fair verdicts and settlements for our clients and will fight to ensure clients get the compensation they deserve for injury, trauma, loss, suffering and any ongoing needs that may result.  For more information on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month or if you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or death as a result of the delay or misdiagnosis of breast or any other type of cancer, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw or visit us at www.messalaw.com.