Fast Facts About Breast Cancer
- 1 in 4 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lieftime.
- Over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. this year.
- Over 40,000 women will die from the disease.
- Breast cancer occurs in men. Infact, over 1000 men will be diagnosed this year.
Breast Cancer is More Than A Lump...
A common breast cancer myth is that a lump must be present for it to be breast cancer. Although a lump is a common symptom of breast cancer, there are many breast cancer symptoms women aren't aware of like sudden change in breast size or a breast that is warm to the touch. For more information on breast cancer symptoms:Breast Cancer Screening Begins at Home
All women should perform a monthly breast self exam to check for breast changes. The breast self exam takes about 10 minutes and is simple to do.Many young women have the misconception that they do not need to perform self exams because of their age. However, this is untrue. Although breast cancer may be rare in young women, it still occurs. See 5 Reasons Young Women Need Monthly Breast Self Exams for more information.
The Mammogram is One of the Best Screening Tools
Getting a regular mammogram is essential for breast health, along with the self breast exam. Mammograms are normally performed after the age of 40, but can be done if breast cancer is suspected or if there a genetic predisposition for breast cancer. See Mammogram Screening Guidelines to find out when you should have your next mammogram.Breast Cancer Isn't Just About Genetics
Although breast cancer can be hereditary, those with family members who have suffered from breast cancer are not the only ones at risk. Many women have never had anyone in their family diagnosed with breast cancer. While it is especially important for women with a genetic disposition for breast cancer to be regularly screened, it is just as important for women who don't. See Hereditary Breast Cancer for more information.No one can pinpoint exactly why one woman may get breast cancer and another won't. There are several breast cancer risk factors that increase the chances that a woman may develop breast.
How You Can Raise Breast Cancer Awareness
There are several things you can do to raise awareness about breast cancer. You can start by attending a breast cancer awareness event in your area. There may be walks, runs, fundraisers, and rallies to support breast cancer awareness.You can also let friends and family know about the dangers of breast cancer. A great idea is to make breast cancer pink ribbon cookies and give them out to friends and family with cards that describe how to do a self breast exam or symptoms of breast cancer. It's a simple eay of getting people to get breast cancer awareness on their minds!
Write your local newspaper and ask them to do a story on breat cancer awareness. Church parishioners can also request information to be reported in the bulletin.
Schools and teachers can make pink ribbons for art classes, or for gifts for the student's female family member.
The sky is the limit when it comes to breast cancer awareness. All it takes is for one person to get the message!
