October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Here is a little piece to remind everyone to self examine and get breast scans/mammograms because early detection is the most effective weapon in the fight against the scourge. Both MEN and WOMEN have a higher chance of surviving breast cancer, if the symptoms are detected early.

Myths About Breast Cancer:

Only women with a family history of breast cancer will get it.
The truth is, 80% of women who develop breast cancer have no family history. So it’s important to understand that you are still at risk for breast cancer even if no one in your family has ever had the disease.

Breast Cancer is contagious.
You cannot catch breast cancer nor transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of mutated cells that begins to spread into other tissues within the breast.

Wearing an underwire bra (Koste'e) causes cancer.
No research shows that wearing an underwire bra increases your risk of breast cancer.
Mammograms catch EVERY breast cancer.

Mammograms can miss up to 10% of breast cancer. This is why it’s so important to go for screening mammograms regularly and let your healthcare provider know if you notice any unusual changes in your breasts. Having dense breasts can also make it harder to find cancer on a mammogram.

Having a mammogram can cause breast cancer or can cause an already existing cancer to spread.
Mammograms require very small doses of radiation. Research confirms that the risk of harm from radiation exposure by mammography is very low. The benefits of the earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer far outweigh the risk of the small dose of radiation received during a mammogram.


Facts About Breast Cancer
In the spirit of heightening Breast Cancer awareness, here are some breast cancer facts;
Breast cancer deaths have been declining since 1990 thanks to early detection, better screening, increased awareness, and new treatment options.

Getting a mammogram can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer by 30 to 40% among women ages 40 to 70
Exercise reduces breast cancer risk for women of all body types – even lean women, the American Cancer Society recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week to manage risk, for some, even 30 minutes per week has been found to be beneficial.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer isn't always a lump: It's helpful to know that breast cancer can appear in forms other than a lump, which means there are other physical signs you should watch for. Other symptoms that you should get checked out include:

Thickening of the skin in the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breasts;
A change in your breast size or shape
Dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
An itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
A pulling in of your nipple or another part of your breast
Sudden nipple discharge
Or pain in one spot of the breast that doesn't go away.

There is an increased risk of breast cancer for women who have been using birth control pills for more than five years. Although that risk is relatively small, due to the low amount of hormones in birth control pills today, women who have a significant family history of breast cancer may take a break for a year from the pill after a five year period.

Every year, you should have a physical assessment which includes a clinical breast exam and pelvic exam. However, if you notice anything unusual before your scheduled visit, do not hesitate to see the doctor immediately.

Women who began their menstrual cycles before the age of 12, have no biological children or had their first child at 30 or older, or began menopause after 55 are at a higher risk.

Most women survive breast cancer: Cancer is scary, but in most cases, women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive and lead healthy lives.

As the causes of breast cancer aren't fully understood, at the moment it's not possible to know if it can be prevented. However, studies have looked at the link between breast cancer and diet. Although there are no definite conclusions, there are benefits for women who:

Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Have a low intake of saturated fat and alcohol

Early detection remains the best weapon when fighting against breast Cancer. When breast cancer is detected early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, the survival rate is as high as 98%.

Don’t delay do a self exam and get scanned today

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