Skip to Main Content

On Feb. 21, 2024, Change Healthcare experienced a cyber security incident. Any individuals impacted by this incident will receive a letter in the mail. To learn more about this from Change Healthcare, please click here or reach out to the contact center at 1-866-262-5342.

5 Facts You Didn't Know About Breast Cancer

Date: 10/16/18

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than wearing pink to show support for breast cancer survivors. It’s also about knowing the facts about breast cancer. Here are five facts you may not have known about this disease:

The risk for breast cancer increases with age.

Did you know that one in three breast cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 70? Or that about seven percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women under the age of 40? Don’t assume that your age makes you safe from breast cancer. Regular breast exams should be performed by your doctor at least every three years beginning at age 20, and women ages 40 and up should have regular mammograms. Talk to your doctor about breast cancer exams to determine what is right for you.

Breast cancer doesn’t always start with a lump.

Many people think that as long as they don’t find a lump in their breasts, they are safe from breast cancer. This is not true. Any change in breast shape, size or texture can be a sign that breast cancer is present. It’s important to be self-aware of your breasts by performing regular breast self-exams so that you know if there is a change in your breasts. Any time you find a change in the size, shape or texture of your breasts, you should follow up with your doctor right away.

Breast cancer is not always hereditary.

Having a history of breast cancer in your family may put you at a higher risk for the disease, but it does not mean you will definitely have breast cancer. Of all women who develop breast cancer, about 15 percent have a significant family history of the condition. It’s important to remember that the lifetime risk for all women of contracting breast cancer is about one in eight. Making sure you’re getting the right screenings, and making sure your doctor is aware of your family medical history, are both important parts of being proactive about your health.

Early detection can mean the difference between life and death.

Early detection and treatment of breast cancer is key to a higher survival rate. When people are diagnosed early and begin receiving the right treatment as soon as they are diagnosed, the survival rate is 96 percent for most. The earlier the condition is found, the more likely you are to beat it. Having regular screenings is the most important part of being proactive about your health.

Men can get breast cancer, too.

Nearly 2,500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. For men, the first sign of breast cancer is almost always a lump or mass found in the chest. This lump may be anywhere within in the breast, but in men, it is most commonly found directly behind the nipple. Just like for women, early detection of male breast cancer leads to a higher survival rate. 

Talk to your doctor about breast cancer. Your doctor can help you to determine which screenings are right for you and how to reduce your risk for breast cancer.