October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

As a women-founded and -led company focused on savvy approaches to complex problems, KDHRC cares deeply about breast cancer education and prevention. Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer diagnosed in women, after skin cancer, with approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women developing breast cancer in their lifetimes.¹ While most common in women, breast cancer can occur in both women in men as everyone is born with breast tissue. Male breast cancer makes up about 1% of all cases each year.² It is important for everyone to monitor their health, get routine mammograms, and understand family history to detect any warning signs early. Finding cancer early dramatically improves the likelihood that it can be cured.³

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:³

• A breast lump or thickened area of skin that feels different from the surrounding tissue
• A nipple that looks flattened or turns inward
• Changes in the color of the breast skin:
  • In people with White skin, the breast skin may look pink or red
  • In people with Brown and Black skin, the breast skin may look darker than the other skin on the chest or it may look red or purple
• Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
• Changes to the skin over the breast, such as skin that looks dimpled or looks like an orange peel
• Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the skin on the breast

If you notice any changes or concerning symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional right away!

Thanks to widespread support and research, breast cancer survival rates have been increasing,³ with the 5-year survival rate now above 90%.⁴ KDHRC looks forward to continuing our efforts to improve the lives of women through strong scientific research, such as our ongoing Monitoring and Outreach for Maternal Safety (MOMS) Postpartum program. To learn more about this program, you can check out a recent research brief here.

References

1. Breast Cancer Statistics | Facts & Figures. (n.d.). National Breast Cancer Coalition. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://www.stopbreastcancer.org/information-center/facts-figures/
2. Male breast cancer. (2024, March 13). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374740
3. Breast cancer – Symptoms and causes. (2025, July 26). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
4. Female Breast Cancer — Cancer Stat Facts. (n.d.). NIH – National Cancer Institute. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html