October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when communities come together to promote education and prevention. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers globally – According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, more than 360,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. Increasing awareness around breast cancer can help in the fight against this disease, promote early detection, and save lives. The doctors at Lakes Urgent Care have four key actions that everyone can take to make a meaningful impact:
1. Understand Your Family History
Knowing your family history of cancer can significantly affect your risk profile and guide you in making proactive health decisions. Breast cancer, in some cases, is linked to genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), which can be passed down from one generation to the next. If you have close family members (such as a mother, sister, or grandmother) who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you may be at a higher risk of developing the disease yourself.
- Action Step: Talk to family members about their health history and discuss any cancer diagnoses. If you discover a pattern of breast cancer or other cancers in your family, share this information with your healthcare provider. They may recommend genetic counseling or testing to assess your risk.
2. Get Screened Regularly
Early detection of breast cancer is key to successful treatment. Regular screening can catch the disease in its early stages, even before symptoms appear. The two most common screening methods are mammograms and breast MRIs, depending on your level of risk. Women aged 40 and older should have regular mammograms, although the recommended starting age may vary based on individual risk factors.
- Action Step: Schedule your screening appointments regularly, and don’t skip them. If you’re unsure about when to start or how often to get screened, consult your doctor for personalized advice. For those with higher risk factors, such as a family history or genetic predisposition, more frequent or advanced screenings may be necessary.
3. Be Proactive About Your Health
Being proactive about your overall health is one of the most impactful ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing your weight, and limiting alcohol consumption. While these measures don’t guarantee prevention, they can help lower your risk and improve your overall well-being.
- Action Step: Make small but meaningful lifestyle changes. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your meals, engage in physical activity several times a week, and keep your body weight in a healthy range. You should also perform regular breast self-exams to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel, so you can detect any unusual changes.
4. Encourage Friends and Family to Get Screened
Your influence on the people around you can make a difference. One of the best ways to support breast cancer awareness is to encourage your friends and family to stay informed and get screened. By sharing your own story and providing helpful reminders, you could help someone detect breast cancer early and increase their chances of survival.
- Action Step: Talk openly with your loved ones about the importance of regular screenings. You could even schedule mammogram appointments together to make it a shared experience. Remind the women and men in your life, regardless of age or background, to be mindful of their health and take preventive measures.
Supporting the cause of breast cancer awareness involves a combination of education, personal action, and outreach. By understanding your family history, getting screened, taking care of your health, and encouraging others to do the same, you can make a significant contribution to this important cause. Early detection saves lives, and the more we spread awareness, the closer we come to reducing the impact of breast cancer globally.