| Elaine Agnes Rountree |
| Breast cancer is a very serious disease that effects many women each year. Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 1 of every 3 cancers diagnosed in women in the U.S. That is why it is important to do monthly self examinations and have yearly mammograms after age 40 and one every three years after age 20. Early detection is the key. |
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| Breast cancer makes up 16.3% of all cancer cases and accounts for 7.8% of all deaths due to cancer. Breast cancer death rates have continued to decline due to improvements in early detection and treatment. However, breast cancer incidence rates have increased by more than 40% from 1973 to 1998. One explanation for the increase in breast cancer incidence rates comes from the analyses which indicate that more early stage disease is being diagnosed, suggesting that use of aggressive screening and early detection, primarily mammography, may account for part of this increase. |
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| September 17, 1952 - April 27, 1997 |
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| information from the National Cancer Institute |
| October is National Cancer Awareness Month October 19 is National Mammography Day |
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| SOME FACTS... |