Because 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, it’s important to understand the basics about breast health. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S., claiming more than 40,000 lives annually. Although genetics can play a role in the development of breast cancer, approximately 85% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no known family history of the illness. Here’s what you should know to protect yourself. 

January is National Radon Action Month. Learn what you should know about radon and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

What is radon?

Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that is released naturally with the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It’s found everywhere on the earth in varying concentrations.

What is invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)?

Invasive lobular carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that begins in the lobules (milk-producing glands) of the breast and subsequently spreads to surrounding tissues. The second most common form of breast cancer in the U.S. (after invasive ductal carcinoma), ILC accounts for 10–15% of invasive breast cancers.[1]

What is lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)?

LCIS refers to abnormal cell growth in the lobules (milk-producing glands) of the breast. In contrast to invasive lobular carcinoma, LCIS remains contained within the lobules without spreading beyond its original site. While it’s most commonly found in women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, LCIS affects women of all ages.[1]

What is invasive ductal carcinoma?

The most common form of breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) accounts for about 80% of all breast cancers.[1] Like ductal carcinoma in situ, IDC begins in the milk ducts. Rather than remaining contained there, however, IDC spreads outside the milk ducts to infiltrate other tissues.

Getting called back after your mammogram for follow-up can be stressful and worrying—even more so if you’re not sure what the results of your follow-up tests may mean for your health. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most commonly diagnosed form of non-invasive breast cancer, accounting for about 1 in 5 breast cancer cases. Each year, approximately 60,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with DCIS.[1] Learn what you should know if you or someone you love is touched by this condition.

Gynecologic cancers cause more than 30,000 deaths in the U.S. and affect more than 95,000 women every year. These include ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, an vulvar cancers. For Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing information about each type of gynecologic cancer. In part one of this series, we discussed ovarian and uterine cancers. This week, we’re covering cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.

Gynecologic cancers affect more than 95,000 women and cause more than 30,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Gynecologic cancers include cancers of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva. While uterine cancer is the most commonly diagnosed of these, the difficulty of diagnosing ovarian cancer early makes it the most deadly.

National Cancer Survivors Day, recognized on the first Sunday in June, is an annual celebration of life for those who have been touched by cancer. It’s a time for cancer survivors to connect, celebrate victories, and raise awareness of the need for resources and support after cancer treatment.

The Testicular Cancer Society recognizes April as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 9,310 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed and approximately 400 men will die of the disease in the U.S. this year.^[1] While testicular cancer is relatively rare, accounting for just 1% of male cancers and occurring in about 1 in 250 males,^[2] the incidence of this type of cancer has been increasing over the past several decades. So far, cancer researchers have not identified causes of this increase.^[3]