August 18 is World Breast Cancer Research Day, recognizing and honoring the medical professionals working to treat and cure one of the world’s most common cancers. It was chosen because its date, the 18th day of the eighth month, represents the 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer. While breast cancer is rarer in men, it can still occur: 1 in 833 men will be diagnosed with the condition in their lifetime.
While breast cancer can be devastating and even fatal, it has a very high survival rate if detected and treated early, especially before it has spread further into the body. Some actions you can take to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer include:
● Avoid or cut down on alcohol and other substances
● Stay physically active and exercise
● Maintain a healthy diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and water
● Check your family medical records to know if you have a family history of breast or other cancers which could increase your risks
● If you are high-risk, consult with your healthcare provider about preventative medication or procedures you could take
Breast cancer symptoms to be aware of include:
● New lumps in breast or underarm
● Thickening or swelling of breast tissue
● Swelling in the underarms or, on rare occasions, the collarbone
● Changes in color or texture (such as redness, flakiness, or dimpling) of the skin of your breast and/or nipple
● Change in size of one or both breasts
● Pain in your breast and/or nipple
● Inverted nipple
● Blood or other discharge from breast that isn’t breast milk
Many conditions can cause tenderness or lumps in the breasts or underarms, and most often, they are benign. In addition, breasts are often naturally asymmetrical. However, changes in breast tissue should be discussed with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
See here to learn how to perform a breast cancer self-exam (see here for a men’s guide to cancer self-exams). It is important for people of all genders to perform regular cancer self-exams for early detection and prevention.
This month, we celebrate our nurses, doctors, and researchers who work tirelessly each day to help everyone live cancer-free.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us anytime at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy!
