October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect, inform, and act. Breast cancer is not distant or abstract — it affects people right here at home. With awareness, early detection, and preventive care, we can save lives.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States. It is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer among women. In 2022, more than 279,000 new cases were diagnosed and over 42,000 deaths occurred in 2023. The lifetime risk for a woman developing breast cancer is about one in eight. Despite these numbers, there is reason for hope: death rates have been steadily declining thanks to better treatments and earlier detection.
One of the most powerful tools we have is screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that women at average risk begin screening mammograms at age 40 and repeat them every two years. Other organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, recommend annual screening beginning at age 40. Screening allows us to detect cancers earlier, when they are smaller, more treatable, and less likely to have spread. Women with additional risk factors — such as a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, certain genetic mutations like BRCA1/2, or a history of chest radiation — may need to start screening earlier. Please talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
Equally important is being familiar with your own body. If you notice changes such as a new lump, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, or persistent pain, bring it to your doctor’s attention promptly. Lifestyle choices also play a role in lowering risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and limiting alcohol can all reduce risk. Breastfeeding, when possible, is also associated with modest risk reduction.
Lone Star Family Health Center can connect patients with mammogram appointments, and many programs exist to help those who are uninsured or underinsured. If you have not had a mammogram in the last two years, now is the time to schedule one. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than pink ribbons — it is about conversations with family and friends, supporting survivors, and taking steps that may save a life.
This October, let awareness be a call to action. Talk with your doctor, encourage your loved ones to stay up to date on screening, and share resources with those who may need them. Together, we can work toward a future where breast cancer is detected earlier, treated more effectively, and feared far less.
Dr. Juliana Tovar is a resident physician who sees patients of all ages and provides obstetrical services at Lone Star Family Health Center, a non-profit 501©3 Federally Qualified Health Center operating facilities in Conroe, Spring, Willis, Grangerland, and Huntsville, and serving as home to a fully integrated Family Medicine Residency Program to increase the number of Family Medicine physicians for Texas and our community.