Breast Cancer is NO Joke

It’s October-breast cancer awareness month. As a women-led, women-focused company, we want to do our part to add to the fountain of education, awareness, and outreach surrounding breast cancer. In this piece, we are going to explore the seriousness of breast cancer, prevention methods, detection methods, and treatment methods. Although this piece will cover the basics of breast cancer health, it's important to consult medical professionals with questions about your breast health.

Breast Cancer is No Joke

 Breast cancer has affected the lives of millions of women across the world. Almost everybody has a friend, family member, or loved one who has been affected by breast cancer, meaning that there is a strong, intensely bonded international network of survivors and loved ones of survivors. People with breast cancer, or loved ones with breast cancer should know that they aren’t alone in their struggle, and people understand what you’re going through.

According to the American Cancer Society, next to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Internationally, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer, and has affected 7.6 million women in the last 5 years alone. Overall, in the United States, women have a 12 percent chance of developing breast cancer in her life. The chance of dying from breast cancer is a 2.6% chance, or 1 in 38. In the United States, there are 3.1 million breast cancer survivors.

Prevention

Early-on prevention can help reduce your chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer. By watching your health, weight, and other factors, you can make your body as strong as possible to fight against disease. Here are a few important factors to watch to decrease your chance of developing breast cancer as much as possible:

1. Keep your weight in check

Being overweight can increase the chance of developing breast cancer, so try maintaining a healthy body weight. Talk with your doctor to determine what your weight goals should be.

2. Exercise

This goes hand-in-hand with that last point, but regular exercise helps your body regulate itself. Working out as little as 30 minutes a day can drastically decrease your chance of developing cancer.

3. Diet

Eating lots of fruit and vegetables is a great place to start, because a healthy diet reduces the risk of breast cancer. Also, you should severely limit your alcohol intake. Zero alcohol is best, because even small quantities of alcohol can increase your chance of developing breast cancer.

4. Stress

Studies are mixed on whether or not stress can cause or increase the chance of cancer. Some academic studies show a positive relationship between the two, while others do not. Either way, try to stay away from intense stress, and even more importantly, find some ways that you can relax and de-stress.

5. Don’t smoke

This one is obvious, but smoking is bad, and a leading cause of cancers. Consider quitting for good. It may be hard, but the health benefits are major.

Detection

Early detection is extremely important when it comes to breast cancer. While some women find out about their breast cancer after symptoms start, some women can have breast cancer without many symptoms, especially early on. Getting regular breast screening, especially later in life, is very important to finding breast cancer early on.

How do you know if you might have breast cancer? Here are some signs of possible breast cancer:

-Breast pain
-Breast cysts
-Irritation or dimpling
-Nipple pain

Here’s how you can get examined:

-Conduct a self-examination
-Clinical breast exams
-Mammograms

Getting examined is extremely important, and doctors recommend getting one every 1-2 years. For more information on mammograms and self-examinations, click here.

Treatment

Depending on the type, location, and severity of breast cancer, it can be treated in a variety of ways. Physicians work in a number of different treatment specialties, as each method is highly specific and specialised. Breast cancer can be treated with radiation, medicines, or surgeries.

Here is some more information on breast cancer treatment:

-Surgeries where doctors cut out the cancerous breast tissue.
-Chemotherapy. Radiation is used to shrink and kill cancer cells.
-Hormonal therapy. Blocks cancer cells from getting growth hormones.
-Radiation therapy. High-energy X-rays are used to kill cancerous cells.
-Biological therapy. Medicine and your body’s own immune system are used to fight cancerous cells.

These are most common and successful methods of breast cancer treatment. Each is used based on specific factors, and it is important to consult your doctor on your specific treatment needs.

The Final Word

Breast cancer is a serious, dangerous disease that affects millions of precious women each year. However, prevention, detection and treatment methods are only getting better and better. With proper health, and support from a loving community cheering them on, we pray that those battling breast cancer are able to overcome their disease.

~🌸You’re strong, you’re our heroes, and we are cheering you on🌸~