Pink October
Pink is everywhere! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® organization, most everyone knows what a pink ribbon means. Since it's inception in 1982, the organization has invested nearly $1.5 billion towards awareness, research and support. Thanks in large amount to the Susan G. Komen® global initiatives, breast cancer is being detected earlier and improved treatment options continue to be developed.
Unfortunately, we still do not know what causes one person to get breast cancer while one does not. Your age, family history (genetics), health history, and diet all contribute to the risk of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women, other than skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less than 1 in 8 while the chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. These rates are improving, though, and most likely due to the results from early detection and better treatment. Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone.
Reducing Your Risk
Living a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk. Lifestyle choices to lower your risk include:
- maintain a healthy weight
- exercise regularly
- reduce alcohol consumption
Some things that increase your risk, such as genetics, you cannot change. However, it's important to know your family history and discuss it with your doctor so that appropriate screening can be arranged. Through screening breast cancer can be detected early on, leading to more effective treatment options.
Early Detection
The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early in women without symptoms:
Mammogram: Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should keep on doing so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.
Clinical breast exam: Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every year. It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts look and feel like.
Breast self-exam (BSE): BSE is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to a health expert right away.
More Information
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