At some point in their lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In light of that horrifying statistic, Casper & de Toledo LLC reminds you that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For more information on this disease and how you can support those afflicted with it, please read on.
What is breast cancer?
Cancer is a broad term for a class of diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and invade healthy cells in the body. Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast as a group of cancer cells that can then invade surrounding tissues or metastasize, i.e. spread, to other areas of the body.
What are some risk factors for breast cancer?
Risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Being age fifty-five or older
- Having a mother, sister, father or child who has been diagnosed with breast cancer
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor diet
- Being overweight or obese
- Alcohol consumption
- Radiation to the chest
- Combined hormone replacement therapy
Please bear in mind that anyone may develop breast cancer at any time in their life, including men, women under thirty and people with no family history, so it is important to not take your health for granted.
How do you detect and/or prevent breast cancer?
By far, one of the most effective means of detecting breast cancer is by having a mammogram, which is a low-dose x-ray of the breast. Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most likely to be successful. A mammogram can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop.
When should you start screening for breast cancer?
While breast cancer screenings usually begin in a woman’s early forties, breast cancer can develop at any age, especially if she has underlying risk factors. Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump during a self-exam. If you detect any changes in your breasts, you may want to consult with your doctor.
How can I help people with breast cancer?
First of all, you can participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help raise awareness about the impact of this disease. You can use your voice, passion and resources to reach every woman and ensure she has access to the screenings, support and care she deserves. In particular, you can:
- Make a donation to provide life-saving mammograms to women in need
- Volunteer in organizations dedicated to women’s healthcare, and
- Host a virtual fundraising event on social media or elsewhere benefiting breast cancer
Join the fight against breast cancer today.
