October marks the 20th year of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program began in 1985 and is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about a disease that will strike an estimated 215,990 women in the United States this year – nearly 1,000 in Maine.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among American women, excluding skin cancer. Breast cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancers in women. In 2004, approximately 40,110 women will die from the disease, including 200 in Maine.

It is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, after lung cancer. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society continues to educate all women about guidelines for prevention and early detection.

Although there is no way to eliminate all risk of breast cancer, a woman can reduce certain modifiable risk factors. To reduce these controllable factors, women should be physically active, consume a healthful diet, reduce alcohol intake, maintain a healthy body weight, and not smoke.

There is not yet a way to prevent breast cancer, but early detection greatly improves treatment options, the chance for successful treatments, and survival. The American Cancer Society’s guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer are:

. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. Women age 40 or older, with no health insurance or insurance that does not cover mammograms, may receive a free mammogram through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For information on free mammograms, call (800) ACS-2345.

. Clinical Breast Exam should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older.

. Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.

. Women at increased risk – those with family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer – should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests, including breast ultrasound and MRI, or having more frequent exams.

For more information about local resources and support programs regarding breast cancer, in multiple languages, call (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem through research, education, advocacy, and service.