Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Resources

National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

Learn how NAPBC standards are helping centers provide comprehensive breast cancer care.

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Preparing for Breast Cancer Surgery

View the American College of Surgeons Breast Cancer Skills Program.

Breast cancer care in 2023 is complex and evolving. While treatment options for breast cancer have advanced considerably in the past decade, disparities continue to impact equitable access to care, and with changing guidelines, some women may find it difficult to know when to begin screening and to fully understand their personal risk factors for the disease.

This October, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast surgeons Ingrid Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS, and Katharine Yao, MD, FACS of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) are available to discuss the complexities of breast cancer care and how new standards from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) can help women take charge of their health to receive the best possible care.

Meet the Experts

Ingrid Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS, Commission on Cancer and University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

“Treatment options and survival rates for breast cancer continue to improve, but outcomes are often much better when the disease is caught early. I encourage all women to practice breast awareness, get screened when recommended, and see their doctor if they notice any abnormal changes in their breasts.”

Katharine Yao, MD, FACS, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and NorthShore University HealthSystem

“Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer is stressful and overwhelming. The best breast cancer care puts patients and their needs at the forefront. Treatments that preserve quality of life are just as important as treatments that improve survival.”

Essential Facts about Breast Cancer

Breast cancer rates are increasing among young women and Black women, who are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group. These trends are likely due to screening and treatment disparities and increased incidence of more aggressive forms of breast cancer in Black women. Other complex factors may also be at play for these alarming increases in breast cancer incidence.
Incidence rates of breast cancer have increased by 0.5% per year.
Rates of early-onset breast cancer in women younger than 50 increased by about 8% from 2010-2019.
Black women overall have a slightly lower incidence rate of breast cancer than White women but have a 40% higher breast cancer death rate.
Though less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than White women, Latina and Hispanic women are at higher risk of being diagnosed with more advanced stages of the disease due to barriers to screening and reduced access to equitable care.
Having a family history of breast cancer increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, but only about 5-10% of breast cancers are thought to have a hereditary component.

“Breast awareness is important from an early age. Breast cancer in young women is rare, but it can happen. If you think, ‘That can’t happen to me,’ you may end up delaying a diagnosis or not receiving high-risk screening when you should.” –Ingrid Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS, Commission on Cancer and University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

What to Know about New Screening Guidelines

This year, two new guidelines were issued affecting women and their decisions for breast care.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that women at average risk of developing breast cancer start receiving regular mammograms at age 40—ten years earlier than previously stated. This new guideline now falls in line with previous recommendations from other medical organizations. Women with a family history of the disease or other medical conditions should consider screening earlier.

Takeaway message: Guidelines for when to begin screening for breast cancer with mammograms vary, but well before the age of 40, women should speak to their primary care physician or gynecologist about their risk factors for the disease and when to begin screening.

A new FDA ruling requires that starting next year, all breast centers must notify women of their breast density in their mammogram report. Breast density refers to the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue a woman has in her breast compared with fatty tissue. Having dense breasts is very common, especially in younger women, but research shows that increased density may make it harder to detect cancer on a mammogram, and having extremely dense breasts is a risk factor for developing breast cancer.

Takeaway message: Breast density is one factor among many others that may increase your risk for breast cancer. Radiologists, breast surgeons, and gynecologists can provide guidance on breast density and if additional screening options (such as ultrasound or MRI) are right for you.

Patient-Centered Care

Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer or being told you are at high risk of the disease is a life-changing moment that can spur many complex emotions. Deciding between treatment options can be equally overwhelming and frustrating without the proper care and guidance.

One good marker to guide quality care is looking for a center accredited by the NAPBC, which has new guidelines that help accredited centers put patients and their care journey front and center of the treatment process, from diagnosis through survivorship. Find an NAPBC-accredited breast center today.

“The decision for breast cancer surgery and treatment is very complex. It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue.” –Katharine Yao, MD, FACS, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and NorthShore University HealthSystem

Sources & Additional Resources

American Cancer Society, Key Statistics for Breast Cancer, Last revised September 14, 2023: www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
“Breast Cancer Death Rates are Highest for Black Women – Again,” American Cancer Society, October 3, 2022: https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/breast-cancer-death-rates-are-highest-for-black-women-again.html
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2021-2023 Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2021.
Información sobre cáncer en español (American Cancer Society)