October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States, and with such comes a renewed focus on the disease, as well as the steps that can be taken for early detection and deeper understanding of the illness and its effects on patients. Knowledge of the many distinct elements of the disease may help foster greater awareness of all that it entails.

Some information about breast cancer includes the fact that in early stages, it is asymptomatic, with signs of it appearing later on. It can also occur amongst men. This year, it is approximated that 2,360 American men will be diagnosed with the disease, and 430 will die of it. Many of the treatments for men are the same with women, like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and endocrine therapy (webmd.com).

The exact causes of breast cancer are unknown, but important factors are aging and family history. The likelihood of it occurring is higher if a person has had ovarian cancer in the past (webmd.com). Additionally, hormones appear to play a role, as well as genetics in some cases. Certain mutations in DNA can lead to normal breast cells becoming cancerous (cancer.org).

In a world where information can be accessed with the press of a button, false material may appear ubiquitous. Some of the myths that have been proven false are those concerning the idea that wearing an underwire bra increases the risk of getting breast cancer for example, or that most breast lumps are cancerous when in fact 80 percent of them are benign (health.com). Others include the thought that breast implants can raise the chances of developing the illness, when in truth no scientific research supports this (health.com).

Moreover, individuals using Medicaid can also have mammograms, provided they have a referral from their doctors. Coverage of such is mandated by the Affordable Care Act which entails that they be given without co-pays or deductible plans (cancer.org).

It is estimated that in 2014, 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will appear in women in the US. Amongst them, the abovementioned illness is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer (breastcancer.org). These facts, and the high numbers attached to them seem to make awareness of breast cancer an important issue in the lives of many Americans nationwide.