You may have seen a lot more pink this month than usual. That’s because October is breast cancer awareness month! Survivors, families, sports teams and many others are raising awareness by wearing pink clothing all month. While thinking pink is a great way to get people talking about breast cancer, it’s also important to be proactive!
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In fact, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed and every 13 minutes a woman dies from breast cancer in the U.S. Despite the number of women and men diagnosed with breast cancer, the U.S has the largest group of survivors. The best way to increase survival rates is to make sure you’re staying up to date on your health and examinations!
Here’s some information you should know about breast cancer risks and how you can self-exam at home:
Risk Factors for Women
- Family history/genetics
- Obesity
- Long-term use of birth control pills (10+ years)
- Radiation exposure
- High breast density
- Early menstruation (< 12 years old)
- Late menopause ( > 55 years old)
- Heavy alcohol intake
Risk Factors for Men
- Family history/genetics
- Obesity
- High estrogen levels
- Heavy alcohol intake
- Radiation exposure
Symptoms
Symptoms of breast cancer vary from person to person but some common breast cancer signs and symptoms include:
- Lumps or nodes felt on or inside of the breast
- Swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts
- Change in shape or size of the breast(s) and/or nipple(s)
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- General pain in/on any part of the breast
How to Self-Exam
Remember: Your health is important. If you think something may be wrong, don’t be afraid to get checked out! It could save your life.