On a national level, breast cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer death for women, exceeded only by lung cancer. According to the ACS (American Cancer Society), breast cancer accounts for nearly one in three cancers diagnosed in American women. According to the cancer society’s statistics about this year’s health expectations, more than 180,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year and close to 40,000 will die from it.

Breast cancer is one of the top leading causes of cancer death worldwide, with an estimated 500,000 death annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Almost 4,000 people are diagnosed with cancer daily in the U.S. Cancer is more common as people get older. Cancer is increasing in developing countries as people embrace habits linked to cancer such as smoking and fattier diets.

Today, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

There are many events that are going to be held in the U.S in October, as the month is slated as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These events are aimed to increase public understanding of the disease that claimed the lives of so many people, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, and new treatment options.

Thousands of breast cancer survivors, friends and supporters of breast cancer research participated this year at the 15th annual Susan G. Komen northwest Ohio Race for the Cure to raise money for cancer research. The race is expected to raise more than $3 million for breast-cancer research and for local education programs, classes and medical services. This action is organized each year by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which was founded by Nancy Briker in 1982, in her sister’s (Susan Komen) memory. Susan Komen suffered from cancer and died three years after being diagnosed.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure sustains breast cancer survivors and tries to increase public understanding of the disease.

If more money is available for medical investigation (mammograms) in women which are suspects of cancer, they will be diagnosed earlier and that will surely lead to a decrease of deaths from this affection. It is important to note that breast cancer death rates have been declining since 1990. The progress is mainly due to early detection and treatment.

Programs should also focus on prevention and screening, which are important steps in reducing a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Access to current treatment information can help us choose optimal care.

Studies show that people can rely on most of the Web sites containing information about breast cancer. Researchers determined that online info about breast cancer is more accurate than the information related to other diseases.

According to recent studies, almost a half of the women recently diagnosed with breast cancer search the Internet for information about their illness. Many of them search the information before even seeing a physician.

Understanding treatment options, accessing new and innovative therapies through clinical trials, cancer screening, genetic testing and prevention are essential cancer-fighting tools.