Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is breast cancer awareness month in both Jamaica and the United States. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in both countries.
“In 2022, there were an estimated 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 deaths globally” (WHO, 2026). In the same year, there were 1,327 new cases of breast cancer and 684 people died from breast cancer in Jamaica (WHO, 2024a). In addition, there were 274,375 new cases of breast cancer and 42,900 people died from breast cancer in the United States (WHO, 2024b).
Breast cancer affects many women each year.
It is so important that all women take precautions to protect themselves by checking their breasts at home at least once a month. Women should pay attention to how their breasts look and feel. If a change in shape, color, or feel is noticed it is very important to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Although breast cancer can affect women of all ages after puberty, breast cancer most commonly occurs in middle-aged and older women. “The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62” (American Cancer Society, 2026). In addition to self checks, women in their 40s and older should schedule a mammogram every 1-2 years. A mammogram is an x-ray image that can help detect early signs of breast cancer.
“At this time there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment” (American Cancer Society, 2026). It is important to be aware of the risks and to take the steps needed to protect yourself from breast cancer. Taking these small precautions could be the difference in detecting cancer early, giving you a better chance of survival, and discovering the cancer after it has progressed further.
References:
American Cancer Society. (2026, January 13). Breast cancer statistics: How common
is breast cancer?. Breast Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Breast Cancer? | American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
World Health Organization (WHO). (2026, April 16). Breast cancer. World Health
World Health Organization (WHO). (2024a, August 2). Jamaica Statistics at a glance
2022 . World Health Organization. https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/populations/388-jamaica-fact-sheet.pdf
World Health Organization (WHO). (2024b, August 2). The United States Statistics at
a glance 2022 . World Health Organization. https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/populations/840-united-states-of-america-fact-sheet.pdf
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