One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, making it the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed across the nation. In Alaska, it is estimated that 510 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Breast cancer is a malignant growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. While what causes breast cancer is not known, some of the risk factors include:

• older age
• a positive family history of the disease
• genes that are linked with breast cancer (BRCA)
• obesity
• alcohol consumption
• prior radiation exposure

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women, second to lung cancer. Alaskan women are below average for getting screening mammograms.

According to the American College of Radiology (ACR) annual mammograms starting at the age of 40 saves lives, even for those without a family history of breast cancer. Actually, 75 percent of breast cancer diagnoses occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. For women at higher risk (such as African American and those with family history), ACR recommends a risk assessment starting at age 30.

This October, take the Pink or Bust pledge! Be determined to reduce your risk for breast cancer, and do everything possible for your breast health.Maintain a healthy weight. An extra 20 pounds could bump up your risk by 45 percent, and breast cancer may be detected at a later stage in obese women leading to more involved treatment. Keep your body mass index (BMI) lower than 25 to greatly reduce your risk.

Exercise regularly. Physically active women are 25 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who are inactive. Exercise can lower the levels of estrogen flowing through the body and therefore lower the risk of breast cancer.  A person who walks for 30 minutes 5 days a week is considered physically active.

Get your D. Get out in the sun or supplement with oral Vitamin D. Appropriate Vitamin D levels have been shown to reduce breast cancer risk by 50 percent.

Get your Zs. Make time to sleep for 6-8 hours. The hormone melatonin is secreted during sleep, and it is one of the strongest antioxidants in the body.

Quit smoking. A recent study shows an increased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women, caused by both active smoking and expose to secondhand smoke. Women who started smoking at a young age are 20 percent more likely to develop breast cancer, and this figure rises to 30 percent for women who have smoked for many years.

Limit alcohol. Daily alcohol may raise your chance of developing breast cancer by 20 percent.

Take care of your teeth and gums. Gum disease increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Women may be 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if they have poor oral health or gum disease.

Breastfeed your babies. A breastfeeding woman produces higher levels of the hormone prolactin, which lowers the levels of estrogen and effectively reduces the risk of breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds over a lifetime, the more protected she is against breast cancer.

Celebrate your 40th year milestone. Get a mammogram. Make it a priority, and repeat every year. Self-breast exams alone are not enough – if a lump is palpable, it may have already spread to lymph nodes or farther. The mammograms we do, especially the 3D version we do here help us detect masses, microcalcifications and subtle distortion that are clues to diagnosing breast cancer in its earliest detectable form. Early detection and diagnosis can make a huge difference to successful treatment.

Bring a friend. Encourage your grandmother, mom, your daughter, or your bestie to come with you. Every woman needs an annual mammogram. Early detection truly is the most important factor affecting treatment and survival.

Make October’s Breast Cancer Awareness meaningful this year – take the Pink or Bust challenge. Prioritize your health and take care of yourself. After all, healthy is beautiful.

Dr. Jessica Panko is a radiologist at the Fairbanks Imaging & Breast Center (FIBC) of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. FIBC offers the complete package of breast health services including Mammography, Ultrasound, MRI and biopsy, using state-of-the-art equipment specifically designed for a woman’s imaging needs. FIBC is the only Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) designated by American College of Radiology in Interior Alaska, a level of excellence made possible by the ongoing commitment of the breast imaging team to accuracy and collaboration.

FIBC follows the ACR recommendation schedule for mammograms. Please consult with your primary care provider for the right schedule for you.