There is no proven way to prevent breast cancer, but finding it early increases your chances of survival. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is designed to get the word out that early detection saves lives. Begun as a week-long program 15 years ago, and officially recognized by a presidential proclamation in 1996, this October campaign increases awareness of breast cancer issues. The program encourages women to make a commitment to early detection by getting regular mammograms and clinical exams, and performing breast self-exams.
Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women, after lung cancer.
But when breast cancer is detected and treated early, the survival rate improves. Breast cancer death rates in women aged 20 to 69 have declined by 25 percent since 1990. The ACS credits the progress to early detection and advances in treatment. Mammography is the best method of breast cancer detection. It can find a cancerous lump before it can be felt and before symptoms emerge.