Photo credit: bcrf.org
The month of October is dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and the value of research, early diagnosis, and prevention.
This month is also difficult for those who are remembering loved ones who passed away from breast cancer.
Breast cancer may have some impact on your life, regardless of who you’re or where you come from. Make sure to know what’s normal for you, and if you see something wrong, notify your doctor.
According to a Komen.org publication, “1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That’s one person every 2 minutes in the U.S.”
It can save your life to know your family’s history. It’s important to discuss your family history with a doctor to determine how it may affect your chance of developing breast cancer. You can make a unique strategy with your doctor to keep an eye out for disease symptoms.
Regular screening is important for women starting at age 40 to detect early signs of cancer and prevent its spread.
According to CDC.gov, the most common symptoms of breast cancer are “the changes in the size of the breast; the pain in any area of the breast (including blood); a new lump in the breast or underarm.
“The risk factors are being a woman, having a new lump in the breast or underarm, and having changes in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
“To lower the risk of breast cancer, you can maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly; choose not to drink alcohol or drink alcohol in moderation; if you are taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks; breastfeed your children, if possible.”
How do I celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
According to the article from bcrf.org, you can celebrate this important month when you “walk, run, ride, or swim a specific distance and reach out to your family and friends to support your goal; ask for donations on your birthday, wedding day, or a special anniversary that falls during October [and donate it to any breast cancer foundation]; consider hosting a charity stream on Twitch to support BCRF-backed research and breast cancer awareness—all while having fun.”
Testimonies
A 40-year-old breast cancer survivor who didn’t want to be identified for personal reasons said that “having breast cancer is the worst experience because the treatment is too strong and you lose your calmness because you are always in panic mode, thinking that you will not make it through.”
Patricia Munoz, a 50-year-old woman, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 35 years old. During the interview, she expressed that “I am thankful for life for being a breast cancer survivor and for all the support she received during those difficult times.”
Tatiana Taddonio, a 38-year-old cancer survival woman, said, “I was lucky to find good doctors in Colombia to treat me and help me during this hard time.”
Taddonio continued, “I was the type of person who never made the time to go for an annual checkup to avoid the doctors. I regret my decision. Young women and men can also develop breast cancer, and they need to schedule an annual mammogram to have an early detection of breast cancer.”
If you think you have breast cancer, or you are not sure, or just want to prevent yourself from getting breast cancer, please contact the breast cancer organization Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity, at 0808 800 6000 or visit the website breastcancernow.org for more information.
