1 in 8 women, or approximately 13% of the female population in the U.S., will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. But there is hope! When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Breast cancer death rates have slowly decreased since 1989, for an overall decline of 43% through 2020. This is in part due to better screening and early detection efforts, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options.

Although rare, men get breast cancer too. In 2023, an estimated 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States according to ACS.

The Susan G. Komen organization promotes the following simple rules:

Rule 1 - Know Your Risk! Knowing your family history is lifesaving. Talk to a doctor about your family history and see how that history impacts your risk of breast cancer. You and your doctor can create a personalized plan to monitor for signs of the disease.

Rule 2 - Get Screened! For those at average risk, have a mammogram every year starting at age 40. If you have any signs of breast cancer, finding it early and treating it early may save your life.

Rule 3 - Know Your Normal! It’s important to know what’s normal for you so you can talk with your health care provider if something doesn’t look or feel right. Self-breast exams are also very important in the early detection of breast cancer. The most common symptom is a new lump or mass, but other symptoms could include swelling of the breast, skin dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipple retraction, breast skin that is red or dry, nipple discharge, or swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone.

If you’ve heard the words, “You have breast cancer,” you aren’t alone. UNC Health Lenoir Cancer Center is privileged to partner with you for experienced, compassionate care at our local Cancer Center in Kinston, NC. Our Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and offers access to expert cancer specialists and advanced treatments here within your local community. Our multidisciplinary clinical team and our cancer patient navigation service team is here, not only for the patient, but also their loved ones, to help support and promote knowledge to overcome barriers through all phases of the cancer journey as well as facilitate access to quality health care close to home.

During the month of October, UNC Health Lenoir Cancer Center promotes Breast Cancer Awareness. We have partnered with Eastern Radiologists and the Lenoir Hospital Foundation, to offer a free breast cancer screening event to uninsured residents within our community who are in need of a screening mammogram. UNC Health Lenoir Cancer Center has also partnered with Caswell Center and City of Kinston to help educate employees about screening and early detection efforts as well as treatment options moving forward after diagnosis.

UNC Health Lenoir Cancer Center is located at 703 Doctors Drive, Kinston, NC and also serves as your local American Cancer Society Resource Center with Patient Navigation Services. Radiation Oncology Providers include Dr. Andrej Hnatov and Dr. Mohit Kasibhatla.

ECU Health Oncology is located at 313 Airport Road, Kinston, NC and offers Medical Oncology or Hematology Oncology Care. Oncology Providers include Dr. Misbah Qadir, Dr. Sukriti Kamboj and Dr. Haritha Ackula at ECU Health Oncology as well as Alyssa Hill, PA-C, Gretchen Vick, ANP.

UNC Surgical Specialists at Lenoir is located at 204 Airport Road, Kinston, NC and offers surgical management including lumpectomy, total mastectomy, and prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction in partnership with Surgical Providers, Dr. Jamie Serrano and NC Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Eskra.

Kimberly R. Best, BSN, RN, CPHQ | Director of Cancer Care & Bariatric Services

UNC Health Lenoir Cancer Center