October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Oct 10, 2016 12:38PM ● By News Desk
With approximately 220,000 cases being diagnosed each year (excluding skin cancer), breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States. And while most women are aware of breast cancer, many are still unaware that leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce ones risk factors for breast cancer and that early detection of the can greatly increase survival rates.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk Of Breast Cancer?
Although you cannot prevent cancer, some personal habits can help reduce your risks:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay physically active
- Eat fruits and vegetables
- Do not smoke
- Limit alcohol consumption
With early detection of breast cancer being a large factor in survival rates, adult women should develop a plan to aid and enable themselves to be proactive about their health by:
- Performing a self breast-exam each month at home and discuss any changes or abnormalities with their physician or healthcare professional.
- Have a clinical breast-exam performed by a healthcare professional who is trained to recognize the many different types of abnormalities and warning signs. This should be an in-office exam performed by your family physician or gynecologist at your annual exam.
- Average-risk women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram, while average-risk women who are 50 to 74 years old should have a screening mammogram performed every two years unless otherwise recommended by their healthcare professional.
Here in South Louisiana, we are fortunate to have state of the art treatment facilities, highly trained specialists and physicians as well as recovery and support centers available should you find yourself in need.
SOURCES: American Cancer Society, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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