October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to learn about the disease, its symptoms, and how to prevent it.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and though survival rates have improved in recent years, it’s still a leading cause of cancer death in women.
Anyone can get breast cancer, but certain risk factors make some women more likely to develop the disease. These include:
- Increasing age
- A family history of breast cancer
- Dense breasts
- Personal history of certain forms of cancer
Luckily, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. These include:
- Staying at a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Not smoking
- Undergoing regular screenings
“There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection.” – Ann Jillian.
Breast cancer awareness is important because it can save lives. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment. So make sure to talk to your doctor about your risk factors and get screened regularly.
Early detection is key when it comes to treating breast cancer successfully. There are two main types of screenings:
- Mammography: An x-ray exam of the breasts can detect tumours that cannot be felt during a CBE. It is recommended that women age 40 and over get a mammogram every one to two years.
- Clinical breast exams (CBEs): Clinical breast exams are physical exams performed by healthcare professionals that look for changes in the breasts that may be signs of cancer.
Though great strides have been made in early detection and treatment options, breast cancer remains the most common tumour diagnosed in females globally (with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancers).
While breast cancer awareness is incredibly important, it’s not just something we should think about during October – it’s something we should be aware of all year round!
