NEW YORK – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an ideal time to discuss the importance of early detection and mammograms. It is also a perfect time to highlight a valuable resource available in New York – the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. Nearly 277,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States this year with just over 42,000 women expected to die from the disease. Today, there are more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

Approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 39 will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). While the overwhelming majority of breast cancer cases are found in women, about one percent of all cases affect men.

According to ACS guidelines, women age 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual mammograms and women age 45 to 54 should have a mammogram every year. Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years, or can continue yearly screenings. Family history and other factors should be taken into account in consultation with your doctor. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.