Breast Cancer Awareness Month
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | October 1st, 2023
I was reading somewhere that starting with statistics might be a bad idea, but I think knowing the stats on breast cancer is important.
- About 1 in 8 U.S. women and one in 833 U.S. men will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives.
- About 9 percent of all new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women 45 and under.
- Though Black women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than white women, Black women are 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Let us use this month to remind ourselves and those we love of ways to decrease our risks of developing cancer.
WHAT CAN ALL WOMEN DO TO LOWER THEIR RISK OF BREAST CANCER?
- MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT – Obesity increases your risk of breast cancer when menopause. Even a little bit of weight loss helps to decrease your risk.
- EXERCISE – Evidence shows that women who get regular physical activity have a lower risk of breast cancer compared with women who do not exercise.
- LIMIT ALCOHOL – Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. If you have to drink, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day.
- AVOID TOBACCO – QUIT smoking.
- BE AWARE OF CHANGES IN YOUR BODY – BREAST SELF-AWARENESS – If you feel a lump in your breast, if you notice any bloody nipple discharge or a milky discharge unrelated to breastfeeding and/or breast pain unrelated to your menstrual cycle – SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR – this is regardless of your age and regardless of whether you had a normal mammogram or recent exam by your doctor. DO NOT IGNORE THESE ABNORMAL SYMPTOMS.
- KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY – If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, ask your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor. We know some women have a gene mutation that puts them at risk for breast cancer. You might want to see if you have the mutation to be informed of how to decrease your chances of breast cancer. This may include taking certain medications or deciding to have surgery on your breast before it becomes cancer.
- BREASTFEED IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY – Breastfeeding can decrease your risk of breast cancer. If you or your friends have recently had babies, encourage them to breastfeed.
- GET YOUR SCREENING MAMMOGRAM – For most women, this will be yearly, starting at age 40; however, if you are in a high-risk category, it might be younger. A breast ultrasound may also be ordered if you are younger because younger women have dense breasts. If you have any symptoms like a lump or pain, you should get a diagnostic mammogram (digital) or a digital breast tomosynthesis. This is different from a screening mammogram. To get free or low-cost mammograms, visit the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
- MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW UP ON YOUR RESULTS – You should know your result within one week of a mammogram. If you do not get your result in a timely manner, call your doctor to get your result. If the result is abnormal, follow up with your doctor immediately. You might need additional testing or may be referred to a breast specialist.
- WHAT YOU EAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE – More and more research is coming out on the importance of diet in decreasing our risk of developing cancer in general. Eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. Limit ‘fast foods”. Limit red and processed meats. Limit sugar-sweetened drinks.
For more information on breast cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute
I have a cousin who was diagnosed with BRCA1 some months ago. It took all of us by surprise, because we know of no other family members who had breast cancer. She had a mastectomy, along with radiation and, while she has been able to keep her other breast, just recently had a hysterectomy and ovaries removed. She has changed her eating habits, maintains a positive attitude, and looks beautiful with her bald head and big earrings! I start out each year with a mammogram!