Every October, many charities hold National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is an annual campaign to raise funds for research and to find the cause and how to treat it. They also offer support and information to those who already have it. Ancient Egyptians were the first to mention breast cancer. It has been recorded by physicians ever since that time.
What is the cause and how is it diagnosed?
Though there are no known causes, there are certain risks, including:
- A family history
- Increasing age
- Obesity
- Drinking alcohol regularly
A mammogram will make the detection. Breast ultrasounds are used to follow up with any abnormalities. Even if you do have risk factors, there are things you can do to help prevent breast cancer. Making healthy lifestyle choices can help you.
Things to do:
- Keep your weight under control. Obesity and being overweight increase your risk, especially later in life.
- Stay physically active. Physical activity not only keeps your whole body healthy but it can help you to maintain a healthy weight.
- Cut back on alcohol. The greater the amount of alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of breast cancer.
- Breast-feed. The longer you breast-feed the more you will be protected from breast cancer.
- Avoid environmental pollution. The cause is now being linked to the chemicals in our environment.
- Avoid excessive fat in your diet. Eat lean cuts of red meat and use low fat dairy products.
Go for a mammogram every two years. For those who are high risk, it may be more often. Follow up with your doctor if you detect any changes in your breasts. This year, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, learn all you can about this cancer and how to prevent it. It’s one more way of aging well and living a healthy lifestyle.
