October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Nationalbreastcancer.org

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I love how everyone, down to the football players, are rocking their pink gear to raise awareness for this sometimes fatal malignancy in women and men. I want to stress to everyone, although, not recommended by the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force, to perform monthly breast exam to detect any fixed mass in the breasts that could possibly be malignant. Breast monthly examines are not recommended due to the false positive from women but I would rather you be safe than sorry. For instructions on how to perform monthly breast examines, see below.



I also want to stress the importance for women 40-74 years old to get your every other year mammogram depending on your risk factors. Men should get them if Breast Cancer runs in their family. Women should get mammograms earlier than 50 if they have any kind of high risks such as family history of Breast Cancer.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Philadelphia this past weekend but from what I hear it's always so inspiring and empowering to be there. Breast Cancer is connected to each and every one of us in someway if it's you, a family member, or any other 3rd or more degree of relation. You know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody that has Breast Cancer. As mentioned before, it runs in families due to the specific genes one of them being the BRCA gene which can be detected through a blood draw. The people that are BRCA positive are closely monitored with mammograms and pap smears for early detection of breast and ovarian cancers. Genetic counseling and consulting with your doctor with and questions or concerns is key in catching this cancer early. If you haven't already, please find your own way to raise breast cancer awareness. We have to look out for one another. Share this article. Learn or freshen up on how to perform monthly breast examines below and how often you need a mammogram. Making strides against breast cancer can start with you!