Support World Breast Cancer Research Day on August 18th

October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but you can get a head start by recognizing World Breast Cancer Research Day on August 18th.

The 18th day of the 8th month of the year holds significance because 1 in 8 women and 1 in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year. That’s why World Breast Cancer Research Day takes place on August 18th.

Breast cancer is nothing new. Ancient Egyptians called this disease “bulging tumors in the breast that has no cure.”

While this remains technically true—especially since there is still no cure for breast cancer—early diagnosis and treatment options are available thanks to lifesaving research.

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women worldwide. More than 2 million cases are diagnosed every year. Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

A breast cancer diagnosis is never good news; however, we are more equipped now than ever to treat breast cancer. Thanks to research, we have chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and hormone therapy treatment options.

Here are some key milestones that contributed to breast cancer research from the official World Breast Cancer Research Day Website:

• 1882: William Halsted performed the first radical mastectomy
• 1889: Marie and Pierre Curie discover radioactive elements
• 1895: The first X-ray is taken, which leads to mammograms
• 1932: Mastectomy surgery is refined through a new procedure that is less disfiguring
• 1937: Radiation therapy is used in addition to surgery
• 1984: The HER2 gene is linked with more aggressive breast cancer
• 1990:  Susan Loves Breast Bookis published worldwide
• 2008: Avon launches The Army of Women
• 2020: The Army of Women is rebranded as Love Research Army to foster inclusion
• 2021: World Breast Cancer Research Day is founded in May

As with any disease, the earlier you detect its presence, the better the prognosis. You can help ensure early detection of breast cancer by:

• Performing self-checks once a month to feel for any changes in your own body
• Scheduling your annual exam with your doctor every year
• Having mammograms every year starting at 45 earlier if you are at higher risk

Share this blog to help raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer research. Contact ImageCare radiology to schedule your mammograms in New Jersey with our caring professionals.