Time for some Breast Awareness
What do we all think of when we think of October? Well, Halloween of course!! October is also the month we should be celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness. So, while you should definitely go out and have a good time over Halloween weekend there are a few things we can all do to raise awareness about breast cancer and be healthier and happier women.
So first, just some general facts about breast cancer. According to cancer.org about one in eight women will have breast cancer at some point during their lifetime. That’s a pretty frightening number! That means we all probably know someone who has or has had it. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women after lung cancer. Breast Cancer is not something we should take lightly. Having a month dedicated to helping increase awareness and help women understand their risks is very important. Hopefully this article will be a useful guide of some things we should all do during this month.
Image from here
Donate. Every little bit can help. Cancer research is important to help understad the disease, and finding cures and better treatments. You can donate in many different ways. Local schools and work places often hold fundraisers. Also, many businesses have easy ways of donating right at the store while you shop. Here is a link for some awesome retailers that support breast cancer awareness. Online, of course, there are many different websites to donate to, Susan G. Komen, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and Breast Cancer Research Foundation to name a few. Do some research and find the one that speaks to you.
Walk. Participating in local walks can be a great way to show your support and help raise awareness. If you’ve known anyone that has or has had breast cancer invite her to walk with you. This can be a great way to show them how much you care. This is also a great was to donate too. Here are some of the walks that are going on in El Paso. Click on the links to sign up!
La Clinical de Familia’s 1st Annual Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness: October 10, 9 a.m.
Making Strides of El Paso: October 17, 9 a.m.
Self-Exam. Doing a self-exam once a month can help with early detection. You know your body better than anyone, so you will notice if there are changes in your breasts pretty easily, especially if you do an exam regularly. Here is a great guide to doing a self exam.
Image from Washington Post
Getting a mammogram. Getting a mammogram can be a very uncomfortable procedure. Most women dread the thought of getting one. Luckily women do not need to get one until the age 40 if you have and increased risk for breast cancer, and not till age 50 if you do not, according to stopcancerfund.org. There are other ways to get screened for breast cancer if you are under this age and want to get a screening. Just click here for more information. Always consult your doctor. They will know what is the best option for you.
Do your research. Many things can increase your risk of breast cancer. Things like smoking, dinking alcohol, not breast-feeding after giving birth, taking hormone therapy, and excess body fat are all things that can increase you risk. Being active and eating healthy can help lower not just the risk for breast cancer, but the risk for other cancers and health issues as well. Understanding what is good and bad for your body can lower your chances of getting cancer, and improve your health all around.
Take the online quiz about how much you know about breast cancer here and share you results on Facebook!
Talk about it! The more people are aware about what can help prevent and cause breast cancer the more we can help ourselves and others live healthier happier lives. Talking also helps those that have been through or are going through the battle of breast cancer. Giving your support can really make a big difference to someone.
Hopefully this has given some insight to what we can all do to help prevent breast cancer and create better awareness. So, when you go out wear some pink, get people talking, and figure out what you want to be for Halloween!!
