October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is a disease that affects millions of women and some men across the world. It is especially important to be aware of the disease as soon as possible, and we will discover why.
Breast cancer is the development of cancerous cells in the breast. The cells grow and eventually start invading the healthy cells in the breast. Over time, they might make their way to other parts of the body. Thankfully, technology has advanced, and tests and screening can be done to catch breast cancer in its tracks. But also, know that there are things you can do and check for in terms of signs and symptoms. Let’s look more into that.
Knowing the Signs & Symptoms
There are certain signs you’ll be able to look for when checking yourself for breast cancer. Self-screening is a crucial step. During your self-screening, here is what you should check for:
- Change in the size & shape of the breast
- Pain in any part of the breast
- Nipple discharge that isn’t milk (ex. blood, etc.)
- Lump in the breast or underarm
- Redness or thickening of the nipple or skin on the breast
Checking yourself means paying attention to what your breast looked like before and noticing any major changes, like the ones listed above. It is encouraged that, as a woman, you should self-screen by checking your breast at least once a month. Some doctors say that lumps are normal to develop before, during, and after your period. But if you notice that the lump has not gone away after some time, then you should consult your doctor and have them do a proper check.
Breast Cancer Screening Process
As you may know, the most common screening for breast cancer is a mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. The X-ray will show any signs of breast cancer if there are any, but the only way to see these signs early is by getting mammograms regularly. Regular mammogram testing is every year or every other year. Depending on what your doctor says, they might recommend coming every year or every other year. For most women, 40 to 49, every other year is recommended. For women ages 50 and up, a mammogram every year is recommended.
Women ages 50 and older tend to be more likely to get breast cancer, which is why yearly screenings are done. Knowing how at-risk you are, helps you understand how early you should get checked.
How Do I Know My Risk Factor?
Knowing your risk factor is as simple as looking at your age and family history. As mentioned, older women are more prone to the disease, so there is a higher risk factor than younger women. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are also at greater risk. In this case, the timing in terms of screening is a little different. It is recommended that women with a family history of breast cancer start screening at 40 yearly. That said, if they had a family member pass away at the age of 45, for example, they should start testing 10 years earlier, so that would be 35. For the most part, those are the two factors that should be paid attention to and kept in mind. If there is any concern before age 50, without a family history, it’s best and always advised to contact your doctor.
There are known ways to lower your risk for breast cancer, and here are a couple:
- Keep a healthy weight & exercise regularly
- Drink alcohol in moderation or abstain from alcohol
- Breastfeed your children, if you are able to
- Some birth control may lower your risk (ask your doctor if this is the case for you).
Why Is Breast Cancer Awareness Important?
The reason for spreading awareness about breast cancer is that it is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. It’s best for women to know the general signs & and symptoms know, how to check themselves and how often they should be checked. The earlier it is caught in its tracks, the better with any kind of cancer. This is why it is important to spread awareness. Educating yourself and those around you can prevent breast cancer from spreading fast or getting to a worse stage.
So, this month and whenever you see your female friends, remind them about checking for breast cancer. Even if they don’t think they are at high risk, it’s better to be safe. If you think that you have signs or symptoms of breast cancer, speak to your OB-GYN. You can schedule an appointment for a well woman’s exam with an OB-GYN at MyCHN.
Breast Cancer Facts
- Breast Cancer affects 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1000 men.
- Women who get their regular breast cancer screening have a 47% lower risk of dying from the disease than those who do not.
- Every year in the US, approximately 264,000 women get breast cancer, and 42,000 women die from the disease.
- Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women except for skin cancers.
- There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US.
- On average, every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Breast cancer rates are 40% higher among African American women.
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of death amount Latin women in the US.
Resources
Fox Chase Cancer Center: Why is Breast Cancer Awareness so Important
Mayo Clinic: Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives
National Breast Cancer Foundation, INC: Facts about Breast Cancer in the US
