BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Happy October everyone and welcome back to the Blog. It’s officially autumn when we welcome a beautiful change of seasons, colorful falling leaves, chilly nights and shorter days. In addition, this month we also welcome our annual tribute to BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
Breast cancer is, unfortunately, an equal opportunity disease that affects both women and men. However, it is much more common in women with about one in eight developing the disease annually compared to men where one in approximately 833 will develop the disease.
Accordingly, remaining vigilant, monitoring our own overall healthcare and taking care of ourselves is an absolute priority. And for women in particular, one of the most important health issues we need to recognize and address is this issue of breast cancer.
Like many of you, I wear several hats. In addition to being a health and wellness advocate, a writer and blogger, I also run a family-owned business with my husband known as Fleischer Studios, which is a licensing and merchandising business that owns the rights to several cartoon characters, including the iconic Betty Boop. And as many of you know, Betty has always been an outspoken champion of women’s causes and a devoted proponent in raising awareness regarding women and the health issues they face every day. She has remained a beacon of hope and positivity for the last century and so at this time of year our entire team at the Studio join Betty in bringing this annual message to all.
I always like to begin by reviewing some of the most important risk factors that may increase our chances as women for developing breast cancer, and we’ll begin with 5 of the most important.
FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY
Women who have a first degree relative – a parent, sibling or child – who have had breast cancer have an increased risk for developing breast cancer. This is especially true if that relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.
PERSONAL MEDICAL HISTORY
Women who have undergone HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy share an elevated risk for breast cancer. Women who experience longer cycles of menstruation, who have never had children or who had children at a later age, also have an increased risk for the disease.
AGE
As we get older our risk for many diseases, including breast cancer, increases. Although exceptions always exist, women who do develop this disease are typically over the age of 55.
RACE AND ETHNICITY
Caucasian women have a slightly greater risk for developing breast cancer than African American, Hispanic or Asian women. However, African American women are more likely to develop more aggressive and advanced-stage breast cancers and at a younger than average age.
GENETIC ANOMALIES
If one has inherited a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the risk for breast cancer is greater. And a mutation in these genes is greater still if one is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent not just for breast cancer but for ovarian cancer as well.
Of course, along with the major risk factors associated with breast cancer, it’s also important to remember that our lifestyle choices also influence our risk for the disease. For example, eating properly, exercising, enjoying alcohol in moderation and eliminating tobacco use will offer us more protection and lower our risk for the disease.
Finally, let’s not forget to take advantage of the proper tools for early detection which are vital for successful treatment and survival which include:
- Self-exams
- Regular doctor visits
- Mammograms
- Screening exams
In closing, Fleischer Studios, Betty and I want to emphasize our one great takeaway from our message today. And that takeaway is that breast cancer is beatable! Just ask the millions of women who have survived the disease. Ladies, we are all WELLNESS WARRIORS in this fight against breast cancer, and we can’t thank you enough for joining us in our battle call.
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
STRONG WOMEN LIFT EACH OTHER UP!
Until next time everyone, Be Aware, Be Informed, Be Proactive, stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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