Breast cancer occurs in 14% of women who live to be 90 years old. Basically this means that 1 out of every 7 women who reach the age of 90 will be diagnosed with breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Here are some of the things you should be doing to take care of yourself.
The most important parts of dealing with breast cancer are early detection and prevention. Early detection involves monthly self breast exams, and routine mammograms. If you are a women over the age of 18, a monthly self breast exam should become second nature for you. The best time to perform these exams is several days after your period ends. This is when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. For women without periods, pick a day of the month that is easy to remember. If you feel something abnormal, do not worry, tissues have a tendency to be lumpy and non-uniform. Consult with your primary care physician or gynecologist for advice, and the more often you perform these exams, the better you will become at knowing what is abnormal.
Mammograms have become one of the best ways to save lives by detecting breast cancer early. Getting annual mammograms after the age of 40 can lower your chance of dying from breast cancer by 35%. These tests are simply x-rays of the breasts taken from two different angles. They can show small abnormal areas, and mammograms can also be used to help locate potential tumors for more accurate biopsy. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society agree that women should get yearly mammograms starting at the age of 40.
As far as prevention goes, there are some healthy changes that can be taken in your life, and they can make a big difference in preventing breast cancer. Many factors can increase you risk for breast cancer including: what you eat, how much you weigh, whether you smoke or drink, how much you exercise, the types of chemical you are exposed to, and whether or not you took hormone replacement therapy for 5 or more years. There are also some things that you can not change that may increase your risk for breast cancer. Your family history, menstrual history, race, exposure to radiation, and even how many times you have been pregnant can also play a role in your risk of developing breast cancer.
It is also important to ignore rumors as to what can contribute to breast cancer. The most recent research shows that deodorant use, hair dye, and using the birth control pill have no recognizable effect on your chances of developing breast cancer. One topic that is still up in the air is how much soy protein you consume. The most recent survey showed that eating soy foods did not appear to increase or decrease breast cancer risk. On the contrary, soy contains a class of compounds known as phytoestrogens, and their effects on estrogen levels in the body are not known.
No matter what your health status is, this is a great time to get started on healthy habits like monthly self breast exams and routine mammograms. Many radiology centers are even running a special discounted price on mammograms this month to encourage early detection. For more information on breast cancer, ask your doctor or gynecologist, or visit the breast cancer awareness website at www.breastcancer.org.