Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas, while those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. Breast cancer occurs in humans and other animals. While the overwhelming majority of human cases are in women, breast cancer can also occur in men.^[2]

The balance of benefits versus harms of breast cancer screening is controversial. The characteristics of the cancer determine the treatment, which may include surgery, medications(hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), radiation and/or immunotherapy.^[3] Surgery provides the single largest benefit, and to increase the likelihood of remission (no further sign of the cancer), several chemotherapy regimens are commonly given in addition. Radiation is used after breast-conserving surgery and substantially improves local relapse rates and in many circumstances also overall survival.^[4]

Worldwide, breast cancer accounts for 22.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) in women.^[5] In 2008, breast cancer caused 458,503 deaths worldwide (13.7% of cancer deaths in women).^[5] Breast cancer is more than 100 times more common in women than in men, although men tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.^[6][7]

Prognosis and survival rates for breast cancer vary greatly depending on the cancer type, stage, treatment, and geographical location of the patient. Survival rates in the Western worldare high;^[6] for example, more than 8 out of 10 women (85%) in England diagnosed with breast cancer survive for at least 5 years.^[8] In developing countries, however, survival rates are much poorer.

OVERVIEW OF THE NFL'S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The NFL does not profit from the sale or auction of breast cancer awareness-identified ("Pink") merchandise. Since 2009, the first year of the NFL's "A Crucial Catch" campaign, the NFL's work has raised approximately $4.5 million for the American Cancer Society, with the majority of the contribution coming from the sale of Pink items at retail and via the NFL Auction website. Beginning with the 2011 "A Crucial Catch" Campaign, money raised via the campaign supports the American Cancer Society's Community Health Advocates National Grants for Empowerment (CHANGE) program. This program promotes health equity and addresses cancer screening disparities through community based cancer prevention and early detection programs that increase access to breast cancer screenings. The program officially launched in 2012 within 17 communities across the country (each within 100 miles of an NFL city) where data showed that the population had lower breast cancer screening rates and higher mortality rates relative to other communities. The goal of the program is to add multiple locations in 2013 and beyond; and assist even more women in their efforts to prevent cancer and find cancer early.