Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women, with one in eight developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
It is expected that more than 381,000 new cases of invasive, non-invasive and pre-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year and about 42,000 women will die, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Knowing your personal risk of developing breast cancer risk could help you and your doctor choose the right screening schedule and prevention methods.
ABC News is teaming up with the ACS for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The American Cancer Society encourages women to take the ACS CancerRisk360 free assessment to learn more about the factors they can change to improve their health and lower their cancer risk.
The tool is available to use for anyone ages 18 and older. The tool asks questions about things that can raise an individual’s cancer risk, including:
Individual health history
Family health history
Daily habits and lifestyle
Cancer screening history
Based on someone’s answers, the tool gives tips on how to lower one’s cancer risk.
Cancer risk can be controlled or modified with several lifestyle changes including diet, physical activity, tobacco use, HPV vaccination and sun/UV protection, according to ACS. Certain risk factors — such as age and family history — cannot be controlled or modified.
The tool does not cover every type of cancer but does offer steps to lower the risk for cancers such as breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer.
“Understanding your cancer risk should make the next step clearer, not more complicated,” Shane Jacobson, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said in a statement. “CancerRisk360 gives people trusted, personalized guidance they can use to start a conversation with their healthcare provider and take practical steps that may help lower their risk.”
ACS says the tool is not a substitute for speaking with and getting medical advice from an individual’s doctor.
“Always talk to a qualified health care provider who knows your situation and personal health needs,” ACS states on its website. “Do not ignore or delay getting professional medical advice because of anything you read in this assessment or in your recommendations.”

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Scientists recently discovered traces of an ancient disease in an unlikely place: the pages of a 1,000-year-old gospel book.
The discovery, which centered on the York Gospels, was announced by University College Dublin (UCD) in early September.
In a study recently published in Science Advances, UCD researchers traced thousands of years of evolution of the sheeppox virus using ancient DNA preserved in manuscripts and animal remains.
DAMAGED FRAGMENT DEEMED ‘UNREMARKABLE’ TURNS OUT TO BE RARE PIECE OF HOMER’S ‘ODYSSEY’ HISTORY
The highly contagious disease affects sheep but is not known to infect humans. Researchers detected its DNA in the animal skins used to make parchment, according to the university.
The York Gospels were written in Canterbury in the late 900s by Anglo-Saxon scribes and were later brought to York Minster — where they’ve been housed for centuries.
Unexpectedly, researchers found traces of sheeppox virus on parchment made from calfskin and goatskin, suggesting either cross-species infections or contamination during the parchment-making process.
Comparing the manuscripts with DNA recovered from Bronze Age sheep teeth, researchers found that sheeppox has plagued livestock for over 3,700 years.
LOST SERMONS FROM ONE OF CHRISTIANITY’S GREATEST SAINTS DISCOVERED AFTER 1,600 YEARS
In a statement, UCD described the York Gospels as a “biological time capsule” that preserved evidence of the virus for centuries.
“The research reveals that sheeppox has threatened livestock for more than 3,700 years,” the university said.
“Unlike other skeletal material, teeth can preserve genetic evidence of infection over thousands of years, providing a valuable record of past outbreaks.”
Sheeppox can spread rapidly through flocks and can be deadly, particularly for young animals — making outbreaks a potentially serious threat to livestock-dependent communities.
“A highly contagious disease, sheeppox spreads rapidly and can affect large portions of a flock in a short time,” UCD said.
EXPERTS STUNNED AFTER UNCOVERING HOMER’S ‘ILIAD’ ON EGYPTIAN MUMMY IN UNPRECEDENTED FIND
“The disease is particularly dangerous because it can cause very high mortality rates, especially in young animals, and dramatically reduce productivity by damaging wool, meat and milk yields.”
Louis L’Hôte, a Ph.D. candidate at UCD who was the lead author of the study, told university officials that the discovery shows parchment can preserve traces of animal pathogen DNA for centuries.
“It is possible that archives and libraries around the world also contain the genetic traces of disease outbreaks in animals in the past,” said L’Hôte.
“These genomes help us understand how these pathogens evolved and how they affected past societies — such as sheeppox virus, which we show has been affecting Eurasian sheep herds for at least three-and-a-half millennia.”
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L’Hôte added that the pathogen remains a threat today — and that studying its ancient DNA could help researchers better understand how to eradicate it.
“We find that unlike the smallpox virus, the sheeppox virus genome was very stable over the last few millennia.”
“People around the world are still fighting against this pathogen — there is currently an outbreak of sheeppox in Greece, causing much economic damage,” he said.
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“We find that unlike the smallpox virus, the sheeppox virus genome was very stable over the last few millennia,” he added.
“This might mean that genetic changes before this point were very important to how the sheeppox virus evolved to infect its host, which may help us fight the pathogen in the future,” he added.
Fox News Digital reached out to L’Hôte for further comment and insight.
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A growing number of ancient DNA discoveries have shed new light on diseases that afflicted humans and animals centuries ago.
Earlier this year, scientists discovered smallpox DNA in centuries-old Chilean mummies — providing the first evidence of the disease in that part of South America during the early colonial period.
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About one in eight new cancer cases worldwide in 2024 — 2.3 million cases — have been linked to infections, according to a new analysis from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The researchers identified 12 specific infections that were linked to human cancer cases, including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, Schistosoma haematobium, HTLV-1, Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis, Merkel cell polyomavirus and HIV.
The following five infections contributed to nearly all the global cases.
POPULAR DAILY DRINKING HABIT COULD NEARLY TRIPLE RISK OF DEADLY CANCER, MAJOR STUDY FINDS
H. pylori : ~760,000 cases
HPV: ~750,000 cases
HBV: ~360,000 cases
EBV: ~260,000 cases
HCV: ~160,000 cases
“The findings underscore the major role that infection control can play in reducing the global cancer burden,” said study co-author Dr. Harriet Rumgay, a scientist in the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, in a press release.
“Despite progress in vaccination and screening, infection-related cancers remain a major global challenge, with the burden falling disproportionately on populations in low- and middle-income countries.”
CANCER DOCTOR REVEALS 5 HABITS THAT MAY REDUCE DISEASE RISK AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES
The researchers say many of these cancers could have been prevented through vaccination, treatment or screenings.
The study, conducted in France, analyzed cancer data from 2024. The findings were published in The Lancet Oncology on Sept. 28.
Study limitations
The study had several limitations, the researchers acknowledged.
Because the study used population-level estimates rather than tracking individual patients over time, the results depended on the quality of available cancer data in each country.
Additionally, it only included infections already proven to cause cancer, so the total impact could be underestimated.
“We know that there are certain infections that we are exposed to over our lifetime that may result in an increased risk of certain cancers,” Dr. Joshua Cohen, medical director of the Gynecologic Cancer Program of City of Hope Orange County in Irvine, California, told Fox News Digital.
“However, most cancers are not caused by infection.”
DOCTORS PUSH NEW BLOOD TESTS FOR COLON CANCER AS CASES SURGE IN YOUNGER ADULTS
HPV is one of the most common drivers of cancers that arise along the rectum, vagina or cervix, as well as the oropharynx (back of the throat), according to Cohen, who was not involved in the study.
“Eighty percent of the population has been exposed to certain types of HPV strains,” he said. “About 40,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with these cancers each year.”
“Most cancers are not caused by infection.”
For most people who are exposed to HPV, the body will clear the virus on its own, Cohen said.
“We don’t know why some patients’ immune systems allow them to clear the HPV infection and some don’t.”
Another very common cancer, although less so in the U.S., is gastric cancer, he noted, which is linked to H. Pylori, an infection in the stomach.
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“We don’t screen everybody for H. pylori in the U.S. — it’s more common in other parts of the world, like Southeast Asia.”
However, those who have peptic ulcer disease or significant epigastric pain should talk with a gastroenterologist about getting screened and treated for H. pylori, the doctor advised.
Prevention strategies
There are things people can do to reduce the risk of infection-related cancers, according to Cohen.
“As a patient, the most important thing is to think about your health, what you can do to prevent yourself from developing these infections or your family,” he said.
“And if you do have one of these infections, what can you do to reduce your risk of developing a subsequent cancer?”
Cohen emphasized that Americans have access to an HPV vaccination that can help prevent many of these infections.
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“If you’re under the age of 45 and you’ve not had an HPV vaccination, there is various good safety data that you should get vaccinated,” he said. “That will cover, at least in the U.S., most risks regarding oropharyngeal cancers, vaginal cancers, cervical cancers, penile cancers and anal cancers.”
The doctor reiterated that developing one of the listed infections doesn’t necessarily mean someone will develop cancer.
“The vast majority of patients who have an HPV infection or H. Pylori, or even hepatitis B or C, are not going to develop cancer,” he said.
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But because these infections have been associated with certain cancers, it’s important to seek treatment for them.
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Symptoms such as epigastric pain (pain or discomfort in the upper middle part of your abdomen), acid reflux, abnormal vaginal bleeding or pain with swallowing could be related to medical conditions that may be associated with certain infections or cancer, the doctor warned.
“There are steps we can take as doctors to keep you safe and hopefully reduce the risk of developing cancer for those that have had an infection,” Cohen added.

It’s that time of year.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of norovirus, a nasty illness that causes gastrointestinal upset, are increasing throughout the United States.
Health: This Highly Transmissible Winter Virus Is Surging Across The Country — And Its Symptoms Are A Nightmare
“It is the season when it increases,” said Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist at UTHealth Houston. “It’s around all the time, but cases typically increase … late fall to winter, probably because people are indoors.” This allows the virus to spread more easily.
“T ypically, we see it in two scenarios. The first is in outbreaks from a common exposure, such as when you hear about a lot of people on a cruise ship coming down with nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Donald Dumford, an infectious disease doctor at Cleveland Clinic, told HuffPost via email. “The second is sporadic cases, which seem to be more common in the winter months.”
The virus tends to be common in nursing homes, too, and also often happens when people eat raw oysters.
“It’s not necessarily surprising to start to see a rise at this time of year. Outside of those common source outbreaks, such as cruise ships, norovirus is also known as winter vomiting disease,” added Dumford. “We see a usual rise in cases throughout the winter months.”
Health: Cases Of This Highly Contagious Winter Virus Are ‘Worse Than Previous Seasons.’ Here’s What You Need to Know.
The illness seems to spread more easily in cooler temperatures, he added, “ and is able to survive longer on surfaces during that period of time.”
Norovirus can cause very unpleasant symptoms.
Norovirus tends to cause nausea and vomiting, and can also cause fever and diarrhea, Dumford said.
Most people are sick for one to three days and recover fine at home, according to Troisi. (Be sure to stay hydrated if you do get sick.) It can last longer, though, and can lead to complications that require medical attention.
“If you start to get fevers, blood in your stool, then call your healthcare provider as those can be signs of a more invasive type of gastrointestinal infection that may need antibiotics,” Dumford said.
If you notice that you’re lightheaded because of dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting, you should reach out to a doctor or go to an emergency room ― “you may need IV fluids,” Dumford explained.
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The virus is extremely contagious, but there are steps you can take to stay well.
“It is a very infectious virus,” Troisi said. “It can last on surfaces for up to two weeks, and so it spreads very easily.”
The best way to lower your chance of getting sick is by simply washing your hands ― and washing them well. “There have been studies about proper hand washing … a majority of people, including food handlers, do not wash their hands properly,” Troisi said.
Health: Winter Vomiting Illnesses Are Wiping People Out Right Now. Here’s Where They Spread The Most.
This doesn’t mean they aren’t washing their hands at all, but are likely not taking off their rings and washing their hands for a full 20 seconds, she said. You should wash your hands for the length of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
It’s also not good enough to squirt some sanitizer on your hands before sitting down for a meal. “Alcohol hand sanitizers are not effective in killing norovirus,” Dumford said.
“Hand sanitizer is great for other pathogens like the flu and COVID and other respiratory viruses, but when trying to prevent the acquisition of some gastrointestinal viruses, including norovirus, soap and water is the standard,” Dumford said.
You should wash your hands before eating, after using the restroom, after changing diapers and when caring for sick people, according to Troisi. “If you know that there are norovirus outbreaks happening in your community, then even [after] shaking hands you’d want to wash your hands,” she noted.
Health: What To Expect From Sick Season This Year, According To Doctors
If you do get sick, stay away from other people and monitor for severe symptoms.
Washing your hands and other good hygiene habits will lower your chances of getting this vomiting illness but won’t eliminate your chance of getting sick.
If you do get ill, stay away from other people. “If you have vomiting [or] diarrhea, stay home while still sick,” Dumford said. “Also make sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to avoid having norovirus on your hands and then contaminating any shared surfaces.”
It’s also a good idea to refrain from cooking for other people for a full two to three days after your symptoms go away, Dumford added. This will help keep those around you healthy.
Again, monitor for any red-flag symptoms such as dehydration, fevers and blood in your stool. If you notice any concerning symptoms, seek medical attention.
According to Troisi, there is a fairly new norovirus strain that’s infecting people and has been since earlier this year.
It’s impossible to know what this means for norovirus rates this winter, but “it may be that this year will be a little worse than other years with this new strain,” she said.
Kids tend to get sick with norovirus more than adults, but the illness can infect anyone, which makes proper hand hygiene and staying home when sick crucial as we head into another sick season.
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LOADINGERROR LOADING
It’s that time of year.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of norovirus, a nasty illness that causes gastrointestinal upset, are increasing throughout the United States.
“It is the season when it increases,” said Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist at UTHealth Houston. “It’s around all the time, but cases typically increase … late fall to winter, probably because people are indoors.” This allows the virus to spread more easily.
Advertisement
“Typically, we see it in two scenarios. The first is in outbreaks from a common exposure, such as when you hear about a lot of people on a cruise ship coming down with nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Donald Dumford, an infectious disease doctor at Cleveland Clinic, told HuffPost via email. “The second is sporadic cases, which seem to be more common in the winter months.”
The virus tends to be common in nursing homes, too, and also often happens when people eat raw oysters.
“It’s not necessarily surprising to start to see a rise at this time of year. Outside of those common source outbreaks, such as cruise ships, norovirus is also known as winter vomiting disease,” added Dumford. “We see a usual rise in cases throughout the winter months.”
Advertisement
The illness seems to spread more easily in cooler temperatures, he added, “and is able to survive longer on surfaces during that period of time.”
Norovirus can cause very unpleasant symptoms.
Norovirus tends to cause nausea and vomiting, and can also cause fever and diarrhea, Dumford said.
Most people are sick for one to three days and recover fine at home, according to Troisi. (Be sure to stay hydrated if you do get sick.) It can last longer, though, and can lead to complications that require medical attention.
“If you start to get fevers, blood in your stool, then call your healthcare provider as those can be signs of a more invasive type of gastrointestinal infection that may need antibiotics,” Dumford said.
Advertisement
If you notice that you’re lightheaded because of dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting, you should reach out to a doctor or go to an emergency room ― “you may need IV fluids,” Dumford explained.
The virus is extremely contagious, but there are steps you can take to stay well.
“It is a very infectious virus,” Troisi said. “It can last on surfaces for up to two weeks, and so it spreads very easily.”
Advertisement
The best way to lower your chance of getting sick is by simply washing your hands ― and washing them well. “There have been studies about proper hand washing … a majority of people, including food handlers, do not wash their hands properly,” Troisi said.
This doesn’t mean they aren’t washing their hands at all, but are likely not taking off their rings and washing their hands for a full 20 seconds, she said. You should wash your hands for the length of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
It’s also not good enough to squirt some sanitizer on your hands before sitting down for a meal. “Alcohol hand sanitizers are not effective in killing norovirus,” Dumford said.
Advertisement
“Hand sanitizer is great for other pathogens like the flu and COVID and other respiratory viruses, but when trying to prevent the acquisition of some gastrointestinal viruses, including norovirus, soap and water is the standard,” Dumford said.
You should wash your hands before eating, after using the restroom, after changing diapers and when caring for sick people, according to Troisi. “If you know that there are norovirus outbreaks happening in your community, then even [after] shaking hands you’d want to wash your hands,” she noted.
If you do get sick, stay away from other people and monitor for severe symptoms.
Washing your hands and other good hygiene habits will lower your chances of getting this vomiting illness but won’t eliminate your chance of getting sick.
Advertisement
If you do get ill, stay away from other people. “If you have vomiting [or] diarrhea, stay home while still sick,” Dumford said. “Also make sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to avoid having norovirus on your hands and then contaminating any shared surfaces.”
It’s also a good idea to refrain from cooking for other people for a full two to three days after your symptoms go away, Dumford added. This will help keep those around you healthy.
Again, monitor for any red-flag symptoms such as dehydration, fevers and blood in your stool. If you notice any concerning symptoms, seek medical attention.
Advertisement
According to Troisi, there is a fairly new norovirus strain that’s infecting people and has been since earlier this year.
It’s impossible to know what this means for norovirus rates this winter, but “it may be that this year will be a little worse than other years with this new strain,” she said.
Kids tend to get sick with norovirus more than adults, but the illness can infect anyone, which makes proper hand hygiene and staying home when sick crucial as we head into another sick season.