(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital has turned its campus pink to help raise breast cancer awareness and show support for breast cancer survivors. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month the skywalks and Nassif Pavilion light at St. Luke’s are pink.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States there are about 272,454 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women. About 42,211 women in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Breast cancer is second most common cancer for women in the U.S. Signs of breast cancer don’t always start with a lump and can also show up as subtle changes in the breast tissue.
Breast cancer survival rates have been steadily increasing over the years due to awareness, earlier detection and advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of the cancer. If you notice any lumps or changes to your breast, talk to your doctor. Most women of average risk will start mammogram screening at age 40.