It’s the time of year when the color pink is popping up everywhere – for an important cause. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an international campaign that promotes awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. Research from the National Breast Cancer Foundation shows that about 1 in 8 women in America experiences breast cancer. Women over 55 years of age are at the highest risk. This month, we encourage you to take steps to stay healthy.
Check yourself regularly
Get our your calendar. Scheduling yearly breast exams with your doctor is one of the best things you can do to help detect breast cancer in its early stages when treatment has higher chances of success. In between yearly exams, self-exams should be performed every month both visually and by touch, paying attention to any changes.
Even if you are under age 55, there are many uncontrollable genetic factors that can put you at risk:
- An immediate family member diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.
- Early menstruation (before age 12).
- Dense breast tissue.
- Obesity
Make healthy lifestyle changes
Making changes to your lifestyle can both improve your overall health and help reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases. Focus on maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you, especially after menopause. Playing sports, swimming, biking, and walking are great ways to keep your body active. Moderate levels of exercise during the week has been shown to lower your risk of breast cancer.
Nutrition is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed food. You should also avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
We at Assisting Hands West Austin care are here for you. Stay healthy!
