As we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to note that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. An estimated 316,950 women in the US in 2025 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, along with 59,080 diagnoses of ductal carcinoma (in situ) non-invasive. According to the American Cancer Society, each year breast cancer accounts for 30% of cancer in US women. Sixty-six percent of women are diagnosed at the localized stage (meaning the cancer has not spread outside the breast), and 16% of women are diagnosed when they are younger than 50. Less than 1% of breast cancer is found in men.

Take the first steps in preventing breast cancer by giving yourself a breast exam.

Lie down. This allows breast tissue to evenly spread out along the chest wall. Put a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm under your head.

With your left hand, move the tips of your three middle fingers around your right breast, checking the entire breast and armpit area.

Use light, medium and firm pressure to feel for any new lumps, hard knots or any other changes to your breast. Repeat these steps on the other breast. Repeat the whole process if you are not sure you did it right the first time.

Note that you may not notice or feel any lumps, but different breast cancers have other signs to look for that should not be ignored. These include leakage at the milk duct, indentation of the breast tissue and skin that feels red and warm and also gives the skin a pitted, thick feel, like that of an orange.

See your doctor for a thorough examination if you have any of the above signs. If you need further information, contact your local Mesquite Cancer HELP Society.

Women ages 40 to 44 have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms. Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year. Women 55 and older can switch to mammograms every other year or can continue yearly screening.

Visit www.cancerhelpnv.com for more information or call (702) 346-0622 or (702) 553-6523. Hours of operation are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments are also taken for any other day.

Cancer Help Nevada is located at 150 N Yucca, #36 at the old elementary school. They are a 501c3 tax-exempt organization operating in Mesquite for 24+ years, helping the people of Mesquite and the Virgin Valley, including Littlefield, Beaver Dam, Scenic, Moapa and Overton/Logandale.