October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month when we bring more attention to this devastating disease and raise awareness. Breast cancer affects women and men globally.
For decades, the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in women and men has increased. More than 215,000 new diagnoses every year. Early detection and diagnosis increase the likelihood of successful treatment.Â
Self-breast examinations (SBE) must be performed regularly, examining the breast region for any irregularities that may be identified. A Self-Breast Examination (SBE) is essential to breast health.
Early detection is vital so appropriate measures can be taken and investigated further. The importance of early detection is a message that can’t be shared enough.
Clinical Breast Examination
Clinical breast examinations should be a part of every woman’s healthcare routine. At least once a year, women are advised to undergo a breast exam performed by their health care practitioner or specialist.
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While self-breast exams encourage women to take a proactive stance on breast health, clinical breast exams conducted by professionals can detect changes in breast tissue, often earlier than what can be found through self-breast examination.
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Clinical breast examinations also allow women to discuss any concerns regarding their family history or recent physical changes in their breasts. Women must commit to a regimen of self and clinical breast examinations as recommended by their healthcare providers to identify any risks or changes early.
Family History
Knowledge of breast cancer family history is an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals and individuals. Knowing your breast cancer family history allows medical practitioners to provide more tailored and accurate treatments and early diagnosis of breast cancer.
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It also helps individuals know their risk level, which can potentially lead to preventive measures in the form of lifestyle changes or proactive healthcare choices.
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Understanding your breast cancer family history is essential in tackling breast cancer, as it leads to more targeted strategies to diagnose, prevent, and treat breast cancer more efficiently.
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A family history of breast cancer is crucial in the fight against the disease. Therefore, when personal health information such as breast cancer family history becomes available, it’s essential to use it for the best possible outcome for your health.
Understanding your risk and how to approach your breast health is vital to your physical and emotional well-being, says Cheryl Perkins, M.D., senior clinical advisor for the Komen Foundation.
We must emphasize that everyone should focus on what we can control, not what we can’t. Getting appropriate screening tests and making lifestyle choices are the proper steps toward good breast health.
Let us work together this month to make breast cancer awareness a priority!
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Breast cancer’s best treatment is early detection. Talk to your provider to discuss your risk and their recommendations for regular screening. Regular screening usually includes mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self-examination.
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According to the American Cancer Society, breast exams should be part of a woman’s regular health routine starting in her 20s. Practicing breast self-exams is an integral part of early detection for women.
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It’s recommended to start around age 20 and should become a regular habit that continues after pregnancy and into menopause.
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Practicing breast self-exam is essential to a woman’s health care throughout all stages of her life. From age 20, being aware and familiar with one’s breasts can provide valuable insight into any potential changes or abnormalities that may require medical attention.
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Taking a few moments to perform this self-exam is crucial for optimal well-being!
Self-breast exams (SBE) help identify changes in your breast and can detect breast cancer at an early stage. Additionally, women between the ages of 20-39 should have clinical breast exams by a trained health professional every three years.
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Once you turn 40, clinical breast exams should be conducted annually. Clinical breast exams are essential as they can detect small lumps or other abnormalities that may not be detected during a self-breast exam.
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Therefore, women need to become knowledgeable about their breasts and practice doing self-breast exams and regularly having routine visits with a healthcare provider to ensure early detection of any irregularities or signs of breast cancer.
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This discussion is critical because family members, and women, must know and understand the importance of screening regularly and doing self-breast exams.Â
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Menopausal and postmenopausal women need to know if their bodies have an imbalance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Doctors should test them. Saliva testing is the most accurate and easy way to do this.
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We can become better informed – read Dr. John Lee’s “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer.” Once diagnosed, surgery to remove the tumor is just the first step in the battle against the disease, often followed by radiation and or chemotherapy.
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Practicing healthy lifestyle habits, like reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and getting regular exercise, can significantly lower breast cancer risk.
It limits the intake of processed and sugary foods, consuming nutritional foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and engaging in stress management activities, including yoga and meditation.
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Women should speak with their healthcare professionals to determine which prevention methods suit them.
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Breast cancer prevention is possible through targeted lifestyle changes that put the individual’s wellness first.
We can change our habits, reduce alcohol consumption, and quit smoking. We can manage our weight and exercise daily.
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Studies also show that maintaining a healthy, average weight influences the estrogen/progesterone ratio.
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Regular exercise is equally important. Obesity, high insulin levels, alcohol intake, smoking, oral contraceptives, hormones from meat and meat products, pesticides, and herbicides can swing this ratio in the wrong direction.Â
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Doctors can treat cancer successfully. More people than ever before are living their lives after cancer treatment. When cancer treatment ends, people begin a new chapter that can bring hope and happiness.Â
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Conclusion
Doctors can treat cancer successfully.
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 It is great to see pink ribbons everywhere during October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Â
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! If I had my wish, every pink ribbon would carry an additional important message for women. That message would read, “You can improve your breast health and reduce your risk of breast cancer now with a few simple lifestyle changes.
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