In 1980, Nancy's sister, Susan Goodman Komen a mother of two and native of Peoria, Illinois, died at age 36 after a three year battle with breast cancer. Following the spirit Susan exhibited trying to help other women combat the disease, Nancy established the Foundation in 1982 and has become a national leader in the fight against breast cancer. Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive the disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all ages. It is the leading cause of death, from all causes, of women between the ages of 35 and 54.
All women are at risk for breast cancer.
The two most significant risk factors are being female and getting older. An average woman's chances of getting breast cancer is about one in 200 by age 40, one in 50 by age 50, and one in 25 by age 60. Half of all breast cancers in the United States occur in women 65 years and older. Although rare, younger women can also get breast cancer. What You Can Do Mammography is the best known method of early detection.