Breast Cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women. It is important to do monthly self-exams and get annual breast exams and mammograms in order to detect cancer early on before any symptoms or complications arise.
All breast cancers arise from genetic mutations in the body but only 5-10% of breast cancers are inherited from your mother or father. 90-95% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that occur during the natural aging process. Healthy lifestyle choices are important in preventing and reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.
How Do I Perform a Self Breast Exam and What Do I Look For?
Doing self breast exams is best done right after your menstrual period is over, as there is less hormonal stimulation occurring in the breast tissue at this time. It is best done in the shower, or right out of the shower, because breast tissue is loose and easier to move. You want to touch all areas of the breast, extending into the armpit, pushing deep into the tissue. You are looking to see whether there is any pain or tenderness upon placing pressure on the breasts, if there are any lumps, bumps, or swelling in any areas. You also want to look to see if there are any skin discolorations, rashes, dimpling of the skin, retraction of the nipple, or discharge from the nipple. If any of these are noticed, you should contact your OB-GYN to book an appointment.
What Are Breast Exams & Mammograms Like?
Breast exams done by a health practitioner are basically the same thing as the one you perform on your own. The healthcare provider is checking for any unusual changes in the breast tissue that may require further investigation. If a lump is found on breast exam in the office, your provider will most likely send you to get a mammogram done, which is an X-ray of your breast bone. Mammograms play a key role in breast cancer detection as they detect cancer before it causes any signs or symptoms.
What Are Risk Factors to Getting Breast Cancer?
Being a white woman over the age of 50
Having a family history of breast cancer, in which they were BRCA positive
Having a personal history of breast cancer
Being overweight or obese
Low Vitamin D levels
Starting your menstrual period before the age of 12
Not having a full term pregnancy or their first child by the age of 30
Not breastfeeding
Using hormone replacement therapy
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
What Can I Do To Prevent Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a genetic defect that mostly arises from environmental and lifestyle changes. It is not your or anyone else’s fault if you develop breast cancer, because you never know what actually caused it. As always, living an active lifestyle and consuming a nutritious diet is beneficial in preventing the risk of developing any type of cancer. Perform monthly self exams and get your annual screening done by a professional in order to diagnose and treat cancer early in its course.