UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS AND TAKING ACTION
Welcome to another FACTUAL FRIDAY everyone. October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, and accordingly this week’s Blog is devoted to the discussion of BREAST CANCER and the risks of which we all need to be aware.
This year has been a particularly difficult one for all of us. We’re dealing with a little-understood virus, lockdowns, and isolation in a world that has turned upside down. Yet, it’s vital we remain vigilant in monitoring our overall health and taking care of ourselves in the midst of all the chaos and confusion.
Breast cancer strikes over 200,000 women every year. Indeed, twelve years ago I was one of those women. So, this cancer is one I take very seriously and very personally. And unfortunately, virus or no virus, this cancer is not going to stop for anything.
Accordingly, this is my annual message to women everywhere. It’s also my tradition to include as my co-host in delivering this message the iconic animated cartoon character Betty Boop, who is a part of my family-owned business, Fleischer Studios. With my husband, the President and CEO of Fleischer Studios, Mark Fleischer, and our entire team at Fleischer Studios, Betty has always been a champion of women’s causes and a devoted advocate to raising awareness for the health issues faced by women every day. So, it’s with great pleasure that I join forces with Betty today to discuss this incredibly important topic with you.
As a survivor of breast cancer, I know that survival is based on many factors. Yet, one of the most important of these is to understand the risk factors associated with this disease. And here are 8 of the most important.
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.
AGE
One of the most important factors, as we age, we become more susceptible to many diseases, including cancer. Typically, breast cancer affects women over the age of 55.
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.
PERSONAL MEDICAL HISTORY
For those of you like me who have already experienced one breast cancer, 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.
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 the disease as well. This is especially true if that relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.
FIBROSIS
Now, this condition 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 as dense tissue can actually hide a cancerous tumor.
RACE
There are many types of breast cancer. With a few exceptions, most types are more common among Caucasian women than women of other races.
GENETIC ANOMALY
Most of us are familiar with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. 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. If so, your risk for breast cancer not only increases, but your risk for ovarian cancer increases as well.
Knowing the basic risk factors, however, is just the beginning. We now need to combine this information with the proper screening procedures that may include mammograms, screening ultrasounds and, of course, regular office visits with your doctor and self-exams at home.
In addition, certain lifestyle choices will make an enormous difference in lowering the overall risk for developing breast cancer. Eating properly, exercising, enjoying alcohol in moderation and eliminating tobacco use will offer even further protection.
As with all cancers our best defense is a strong offense. We must do everything we can to prevent breast cancer, yet if we can’t totally prevent it, we can certainly catch it early so we can treat it successfully.
Betty and I can’t thank you enough for joining us today. As women, we are all in this battle together. We are all WELLNESS WARRIORS supporting one another and marching forward in the fight against Breast Cancer.
Until next time everyone, Be Informed, Be Proactive, stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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