The American Cancer Society says that each year, approximately 200,000 women in the U.S. alone are diagnosed with breast cancer. Every woman is at risk for developing breast cancer, says Debbie Saslow, Director of Breast and Gynecological Research, whether or not they have a history of breast cancer in the family. Below facts will give you a better understanding of breast cancer.

More and more women, particularly those who have lost a family member or relative to breast cancer, are becoming anxious and worried about their personal risk level. However, it is vital for these women to understand that there are many variables that must be factored in when evaluating personal risk of developing breast cancer. Some of these variables include the following: how many relatives have or had breast cancer, how old the relatives were when they had or were diagnosed with breast cancer, and if the relatives were diagnosed with ovarian cancer also.

According to some studies, having one or two relatives diagnosed with breast cancer after age 50 increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. This risk is not much higher when compared with a woman who does not have anyone in her family diagnosed with breast cancer though. However, having two or three relatives on the same side of the family diagnosed with breast cancer does increase the risk of a woman developing breast cancer. The studies seem to indicate that the risk increases in proportion to the number of relatives that are diagnosed with breast cancer, especially if those relatives come from the same side of the family.

If you want to find out your own personal risk level, consult with a doctor or a genetic counselor. Your doctor or genetic counselor will ask you to complete a questionnaire as well as use a special tool on your to measure your individual risk level. After consulting with the genetic counselor or doctor, you can take a breath of relief — you’ve just taken an important and proactive step towards reducing your worry.

Also keep in mind that there have been studies done to disprove many things we tend to worry or be anxious about. For instance, you shouldn’t worry too much if you have a history of breast cancer in your family as studies have also found that 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer don’t have a family history of breast cancer. This is an important piece of information as it can help you put things in perspective. It doesn’t mean, however, that you should not concern yourself about breast cancer; on the contrary, you need play an active role in learning all you can about the disease and taking the necessary steps to take care of yourself so that you lower your risk of developing breast cancer or even detecting it early.

With so many women affected by this disease, there is no need for any woman to feel like she has to fight breast cancer alone. There are many support groups out there, all designed to help women with breast cancer as well as those who have a family member with breast cancer. If you or someone you know need a breast cancer support group, you can try contacting The American Self-Help Clearing House at 1-800-367-6274 and TTY-625-9053 (for the hearing impaired).

Here are some awareness test and facts you can look at.

According to statistics, in 2002 alone, over 182,000 women were diagnosed as having breast cancer. That same year, an estimated 41,000 women died from breast cancer. The number of women who have breast cancer is steadily rising each year. Whether or not you have a history of breast cancer, it is important that you learn about breast cancer, the factors that may lead to it and how you can detect the signs early.

Answer each of the 7 statements below with True or False to assess your level of awareness of breast cancer issues. Give yourself one point for every statement you answer correctly.

1. In the United States, breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among women.
Answer: True
Breast cancer is only second to skin cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women.

2. Compared to women who have a different race or ethnic background, Caucasian women are less likely to be diagnosed as having breast cancer.
Answer: False
In the Uited States, Caucasian women have much higher odds of being diagnosed with breast cancer. However, African-American women have been found to have higher odds of dying from breast cancer than women from other races or ethnicity.

3. Of the different methods available for detecting breast cancer that is in the early and treatable stages, mammography is regarded as the most effective.
Answer: True
According to the U.S. Preventative Task Force, women who are 40 years and up need to have a mammography every year or every two years as doing so has been found effective in detecting breast cancer in its early stages.

4. Research studies have discovered a number of factors that may and can affect women’s risk of getting breast cancer.
Answer: True
According to research studies, some of the risk factors of breast cancer include having a family history of breast cancer, a sedentary lifestyle or absence of physical activity, being overweight or obese after menopause, drinking alcohol and using oral contraceptives.

5. In the United States, more than $10 billion is spent on breast cancer research.
Answer: False
About $7 billion each year is spent on breast cancer treatment, not research.

6. In 1990, Congress passed and Act with the aim of improving women’s access to breast cancer screening.
Answer: True
in 1990, Congress passed the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act.

7. According to studies, detecting breast cancer early can save the lives of women.
Answer: True
Based on studies, regular screenings of women who are 40 years and up can lower death rate by 20% to 25% within 10 years.

How well did you do? If you got a total of 1 to 2 points, you need to become more aware of the breast cancer issues. It’s actually a good idea if you try to read up on the latest breast cancer issues. If you scored 3 to 4 points, give yourself a pat on the back because you’re on your way to being aware. If you got 5 points and up, congratulations! Why not share what you know with other women so they can become aware of breast cancer too?

[Note: The statistics used in this article were drawn from The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.]