Following the release of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) 2024-2025 Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) has released a public service announcement encouraging people to be mindful of their breast health. 

Though several notable early detection and treatment advancements have aided the fight against breast cancer, it remains a persistently deadly disease worldwide, and is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S., according to the ACS. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized annually in October. 

The ACS data includes the following breast cancer statistics from 2024:

375,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed and an estimated 42,250 of those diagnosed are expected to die from the disease. 
Almost 2,800 men were diagnosed and roughly 530 of those diagnosed are projected to die from the disease.

“These statistics serve as a powerful reminder that breast cancer remains a formidable adversary,” said Dr. Jim Keany, MD, Chief Medical Officer at SMMC, in a public statement. “While survival rates have improved significantly over the past decades thanks to research and early detection, the sheer volume of new diagnoses and the number of lives lost underscore the critical need for ongoing awareness, research funding, and equitable access to screenings and treatment.”

St. Mary’s onsite cancer treatment services include TrueBeam radiation technology that allows patients to receive brachytherapy as well as image guided, intensity modulated and volumetric modulated radiation therapy. According to SMMC, there is a 99% five-year survival rate for localized cases. 

Dignity Health encourages consulting with healthcare providers about personalized screenings and says general guidelines recommend annual mammograms for women starting at age 40 or 45. Being cognizant of personal risk factors and lifestyle choices, such as sustaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol ingestion, can also help to minimize risk. 

To learn more about breast cancer and screening guidelines, visit dignityhealth.org/socal/cancer or speak with your primary care physician.