Breast Cancer

When menopause arrives, it signals a huge change in a woman’s life. But it also introduces you and your body to a complicated process filled with hormonal, emotional, and physical changes.  And there are plenty of misconceptions about menopause and its symptoms – like whether or not menopause can cause deadly cancers like breast cancer.

For many women with breast cancer, the road to recovery is never over. It’s estimated that 155,000 people in the United States are living with metastatic breast cancer, which means that their breast cancer has spread from their chest to another area in their body. Unfortunately, unlike some other types of breast cancer, the survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is typically around three years. In a culture that’s intensely focused on survival and treatment, it’s important to understand what happens to our bodies in the more advanced stages of breast cancer. That way, even if we aren’t the ones who have been diagnosed, we can more effectively support those that have.

Other than lung cancer, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among U.S. women. In fact, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, and they can turn to a variety of options for treatment. As prevalent as breast cancer is in the U.S., it stands to reason that ongoing research continues to be conducted to find a cure. In the meantime, there are several common treatment options for the disease, and understanding what they are and their pros and cons make it easier to take a proactive approach to the situation.

Although the statistics are chilling, we should feel fortunate because for all the women that are affected, there are an equal number who have been galvanized into action. Many foundations and fundraisers continue to pour money into the search for a cure and marshal their resources into supporting women who are either undergoing treatment or are in recovery. Many top fashion brands have gotten in on the action too, donating money and raising awareness of the cause through their products, especially during the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is often associated with women. This is evident in advertisements for breast cancer foundations and even through the international symbol of breast cancer awareness—the pink ribbon.