As of March 2017, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.  
A Few Established Risk Factors:
Being a Woman
Just being a woman is the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer. There are about 190,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 60,000 cases of non-invasive breast cancer this year in American women.

Age
As with many other diseases, your risk of breast cancer goes up as you get older. About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older.

Family History
Women with close relatives who've been diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. If you've had one first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk is doubled.

Genetics
About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.

For more risks, visit breastcancer.org.
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Down syndrome continues to be the most common chromosomal disorder. Each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome, which is about 1 in every 700 babies born.

It is important to remember that while children and adults with Down syndrome experience developmental delays, they also have many talents and gifts and should be given the opportunity and encouragement
to develop them.
There are three chromosomal patterns that result in Down syndrome:

  • Trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) is caused by a faulty cell division that results in the baby having three #21 chromosomes instead of two. Ninety-five percent of all people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21.
  • Translocation accounts for only 3% to 4% of all cases. In translocation a part of chromosome #21 breaks off during cell division and attaches to another chromosome. 
  • Mosaicism occurs when nondisjunction of chromosome #21 takes place in one of the initial cell divisions after fertilization. When this happens, there is a mixture of two types of cells, some containing 46 chromosomes and some 47. This type of Down syndrome occurs in only one to two percent of all cases of Down syndrome.
Get involved and volunteer to
help individuals and children
with Down Syndrome!
Get ready to apply for 2018 coverage!

For more information on open enrollment, or ways to enroll, visit healthcare.gov
October Awareness Weeks:

Seven Ways to Be Safe and Healthy This Halloween

Don’t let your health get tricked this Halloween! Here are a few ways to stay safe and healthy.

1. Get Moving
Carve out time to be active this Halloween - between get-togethers and trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

2. Eat Well
Don’t spend this Halloween filling up on junk food and sweets. Give yourself and your guests healthier choices and nutritious treats.

3. Keep Your and Your Family's Bite Healthy
Keep Halloween candy at bay. Care for teeth the right way - brush with a fluoride toothpaste each
and every day.

4. Play it Safe
Take precautions to stay safe while trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Watch out for cars, use reflective gear, walk with a group, and carry a flash light.

5. Scare Away the Flu and Colds
Don't get spooked by the flu, wash your hands frequently and get a flu vaccine, too!

6. Don't Be a Zombie
Sleep is important - even on Halloween! Adults need 7-8 hours each night. It’s best for staying healthy and helping the disease fight!

7. Be Afraid of Smoking
Keep your Halloween activities smoke and tobacco free. Being smoke free is the way to be!
3 Scary Good
Halloween Recipes!
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