This month is breast cancer awareness month and so we wanted to do just that! This blog will talk about how to check your breasts, what to look out for and what lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a worldwide problem. It is the second most common cancer and the commonest cancer in women. It accounts for 25% of all cancers in women and is the fifth most common cause of death from cancer in women.
Survival rates are improving for countries with advanced medical care and 5 year survival rates are 80–90% when the cancer is caught early, thus highlighting the need for all women to be breast cancer aware.
How to be breast aware
1. Get to know your breasts
The first thing is to get to know what your breasts feel like. They change throughout the menstrual cycle particularly during the days before you start your period, where many women find that they become lumpy and tender. Therefore you need to know what your breasts feel like during all times of the month so that you can quickly spot a change and see your doctor.
2. Know which changes to look out for
When you check your breasts, look out for these changes in particular:
- Change in size or shape of your breast
- Change in the feel of the skin over your breast such as puckering or dimpling
- A lump or thickening of the breast or armpit that is different to the other breast
- Change in nipple position e.g. being pulled or pointing differently
For a full list, click here: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1740.aspx?CategoryID=60&SubCategoryID=182. If you notice any changes then see a doctor as soon as possible.
Lifestyle changes
The risk of breast cancer increases with age and there isn’t much you can do to change this apart from being breast aware and partaking in screening if it is available. Below are some things that you CAN change to reduce your risks of breast cancer.
- Alcohol: drinking alcohol can increase your risk by a SMALL amount, therefore cutting down on your alcohol consumption could make a small difference.
- Weight: Having a BMI over 25 suggests that you are overweight and this increases your risk of breast cancer post menopause. Therefore consider losing weight if this applies to you through eating more healthily and doing some exercise.
- HRT: Women take HRT to improve their symptoms of the menopause. Taking HRT can increase your risk of breast cancer while you take it and up to 5 years after stopping. If you are concerned about this, discuss it with your doctor.
- The contraceptive pill: Taking this can increase your risk but it is only a small amount. If you have concerns then discuss them with your doctor.
For a more detailed list of risks then please click here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/risks-causes/risk-factors
Thanks for reading and we hope that we have made you more breast aware. If you have any further questions, you may find these articles useful:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1740.aspx?CategoryID=60&SubCategoryID=182
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Breastcancer/Pages/Breastcancersymptoms.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1740.aspx
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References:
http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-specific-cancers/breast-cancer-statistics
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/risks-causes/risk-factors
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only. The information provided herein are gathered from various sources and Your.MD does not take any responsibility for its accuracy. Never disregard, avoid, or delay in obtaining medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional because of information or advice you received via our blog.
