Experts urge screenings, early detection during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A new report from the American Cancer Society says deaths from the disease have fallen nearly 45% compared to 35 years ago. However, new cases continue to rise.
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Members of the Valencia Palms chapter of Pap Corps in Delray Beach wrapped pink ribbons around trees in the community. Pap Corps is a statewide volunteer fundraising organization that supports research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"When I was 36, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was told that I would die because I that's the stage I was in. And I said, 'There's no way. I have young children. I'm going to fight this,'" said Joyce Brett, president of the Valencia Palms chapter.
Brett represents the 1 in 8 women in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
"I'm standing here because of the trial programs that they supply to people who need them. And I'm very grateful. And I said, 'I will do whatever I can to help pay you back,'" Brett said.
Experts said it's likely because of research and trial programs that deaths from breast cancer have fallen.
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"We incorporate surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy where we're conducting significant gene detection, where we're able to provide targeted and personalized treatment for our patients," Mahdi Taha, an oncologist with Florida Cancer Specialists, said.
But with that decrease, new cases of breast cancer continue to rise, especially in women under 50.
"I want to be positive and say that is hopefully due to improved detection methods that we have. There are many screening programs that are available that weren't there before," Taha said.
Taha said it's important for women to be their own best advocates, minding their lifestyle habits, doing self-checks and getting regular mammograms, especially younger women who may have a mutation of either of the two breast cancer genes.
"Early detection is key. Cancer does not discriminate based on age, gender or race. It really needs to really need to be identified as soon as possible to have the best and most favorable outcome in your treatment," Taha said.
