OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for Native women, according to the American Indian Cancer Foundation. Keeping up with regular mammograms improves early detection and may help save your life.
Breast Cancer Facts
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death for Native women
• 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime
• Native women have a 7% higher cancer rate compared to non-Hispanic white women
• Native women have a 10% higher death rate compared to non-Hispanic white women
Screening Guidelines
• Women ages 40 to 44 have the option to start annual breast cancer screening
• Women ages 45 to 54 should have a mammogram once every year
• Women ages 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years or can continue with yearly screening.
Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years. Native women should always talk to a doctor or nurse right away if they notice any changes in their breasts.
Check Your Breasts!
Learn the signs and symptoms of breast cancer with the Check Your Breast resource. Understand what to look for when practicing self-examination, and be sure to see your doctor right away if you experience any of these changes or abnormalities in your breasts.
The American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) announced the launch of its 10th Annual Indigenous Pink campaign in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. AICAF invites you to wear pink and share photos on social media using #IndigenousPink to raise awareness of breast cancer in Indian Country, with Indigenous Pink Day on October 17.
"Health, growth, caring for, learning, love, loss, strength, understanding...these are the words that come to mind when I reflect on AICAF’s 10 years of Indigenous Pink breast cancer awareness education. It is a beautiful thing that we can collaborate with Tribes and Tribal communities to provide timely, accurate, and culturally responsible materials to help move the needle on awareness,” said AICAF CEO Melissa Buffalo. “I’m eternally grateful and humbled for the voices of survivors and those who are actively battling breast cancer, for the love and learning from those we have lost, and by the power shared by caregivers. At AICAF, we will continue to elevate these voices and work of American Indian communities.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Native women and is the second leading cause of cancer death. However, all bodies have breast tissue and are at risk for developing breast cancer. Indigenous Pink aims to educate Native communities about the importance of early detection, and remind women, men, non- binary, and genderfluid relatives to talk to their doctors about breast cancer screening.
