Institute of Gerontology celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The UDC Institute of Gerontology (IOG) celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a special lecture from Georgetown University's Capital City Breast Care. CCBC provides culturally sensitive breast cancer screening services and health and wellness education to all women in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, regardless of their ability to pay. IOG's In-service was highly interactive, with senior volunteers answering true or false questions, such as:

As you get older, your chance of getting breast cancer increases. 
TRUE - According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while about 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.

Men can get breast cancer. 
TRUE. The American Cancer Foundation estimates that 440 men will die from breast cancer in 2015.

Mammograms are painful. 
BOTH - the answer is subjective.

Does having a lump mean you have breast cancer? 
NO. They can be benign or calcifications.

For more information on the Institute of Gerontology, email gerontology@udc.edu.