BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – 8 RISK FACTORS EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO KNOW

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – SHOW YOUR PINK!

Welcome everyone! October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – so todays’ #Factual Friday will be devoted to discussing this disease that affects approximately 220,000 women every year.

And, I’m so happy to have Betty Boop here as my co-host today. As many of you know, hubby Mark Fleischer is the President of Fleischer Studios, our family-owned business. And, Betty has been a part of our family for over 70 years!

Many of you also know that breast cancer is one of three cancers that I have survived. Moreover, several women in my husband’s family also have survived this disease. So, it’s with great pleasure that I join forces with Betty today to discuss this incredibly important topic.

As breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women the world over, we all need to know how to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

And, we do that by first reviewing the TOP 8 RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER AMONG WOMEN:

1. GENDER. Breast cancer is an equal opportunity disease. It can affect BOTH women and men. However, it occurs approximately 100 times more often in women than men.
2. AGE. As we age we become more susceptible to many diseases, including cancer. Typically, breast cancer affects women over the age of 55.
3. RACE: With a few exceptions, most types of breast cancer (remember there are many) are more common among Caucasian women than women of other races.
4. PERSONAL MEDICAL HISTORY: For those of us who have already experienced one breast cancer like myself, our risk of developing another breast cancer is greater. And, having breast cancer in one breast can indicate a greater risk for developing a future cancer in the other breast.
5. REPRODUCTIVE AND MENSTRUAL HISTORY: In short, the longer our cycle of menstruation lasts, the greater our risk for breast cancer becomes. Experts agree that if we experienced an early first period before the age of 12 for example – AND we don’t experience menopause until after the age of 55 – our risk for breast cancer is greater. In addition, women who never had children or who had a child at a later age also have an increased risk for this disease.
6. FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY: Women who have a first degree relative – a parent, sibling or child – who had breast cancer have an increased risk for developing the disease as well. This is especially true if that relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.
7. GENETIC ANOMALY. Now, most of us are familiar with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 If these genes carry a mutation – or anomaly – one’s risk for breast cancer increases significantly. If you have a family history of breast cancer and if you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you may have an anomaly of these genes. And if so, your risk for breast cancer not only increases, but your risk for ovarian cancer increases as well. If you have any questions or concerns about this risk, please contact your doctor and get tested as soon as possible.
8. FIBROSIS. Now, this condition actually refers to dense breast tissue. This was my primary risk factor for breast cancer. Not only does it increase our risk for the disease, but it also makes it more difficult for us to diagnose the disease. Again, please contact your doctor with any questions or concerns about this particular risk factor.

And, there we are. Eight risk factors for breast cancer of which every women needs to be aware. Once you know which ones affect you personally, discuss them with your doctor. Together, you can come up with a healthcare plan that will afford you the most protection.

Always take advantage of Mammograms (and screening ultrasounds if you have fibrosis) and regular Office Exams with your doctor. Remember to conduct Self-Exams at home, eat properly, exercise, enjoy alcohol in moderation and eliminate tobacco use.

Because, with all cancers our BEST DEFENSE IS A STRONG OFFENSE. We need to do everything in our power to prevent breast cancer – and if we can’t totally prevent it, we can at least CATCH IT EARLY and TREAT IT SUCCESSFULLY!

Betty and I can’t thank you enough for joining us today. This is an issue that affects all of us. We are all in this together. We are all WOMEN – we are all WELLNESS WARRIORS – and together we will be VICTORIOUS!

From Betty, Me, my other surviving family members and women everywhere who have overcome the odds – stay in GOOD HEALTH and until next time . . .

TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!

TIME FOR REVIEW: For more information, please refer to THE SINGLE SOURCE CANCER COURSE, Vol. 1, Pages 100-107 and Vol. 2, Pages 3-9.