• How Much Do You Know About Breast Cancer?

    Take this quiz to learn more about breast cancer.

  • Breast cancer occurs primarily in women, and it is the second most prevalent cancer (after skin cancer) among women in the United States. About 266,100 women are newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and around 40,900 die from it annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Men can also develop breast cancer. About 2,500 men are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 490 die from the disease annually. 

  • 1. What is the most common cancer among black women?

  • Answer: Breast cancer

  • 2. What age group is recommended to start getting regular mammograms?

  • Answer: The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor or other health care provider about when to start and how often to get a mammogram.

  • 3. Breast cancer only affects older women.

  • Answer: False. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends annual mammograms for all average-risk women over 40. If there are additional risk factors present, a provider might recommend an even earlier start.

  • 4. What is a common symptom of breast cancer that black women should be aware of?

  • Answer: Changes in breast appearance or texture.

  • 5. What is the purpose of breast self-exams?

  • Answer: To detect early signs of breast cancer.

  • 6. Black women have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer compared to other racial/ethnic groups.

  • Answer: True. Breast cancer mortality has decreased for all racial and ethnic groups over the past three decades, and Black and Latino women have seen greater improvements in survival. Nonetheless, Black women continue to have substantially higher breast cancer mortality than white women.

  • 7. Which of the following factors is NOT a known risk factor for breast cancer?

  • Answer: Hair type.

  • 8. What is the recommended frequency for clinical breast exams by a healthcare professional?

  • Answer: The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years.

  • 9. Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

  • Answer: True. Less physical activity and more sedentary time are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

  • For more on breast cancer, click here.

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