Let's Be Aware of Breasts!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and here at L&L, we believe in keeping the public up to date and aware of their health! So often people don't want to face their health straight on and look away from the facts and what they know is best for them because they are afraid of finding out the truth about their health. However, in the long run this leads to more severe, more deadly, and more costly situations. Colon cancer and breast cancer are top killers and yet they are the most preventable just by staying current on your colonoscopies and mammograms. This month, the L&L crew want people to be aware of breast cancer and some facts and myths surrounding this very common cancer.

 "Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, affecting people from all social and economic levels. 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and it is the second leading cause of death among women."

 "Although women are the predominant gender that is diagnosed with breast cancer, men can get it too. In fact, it is even more deadly in men because they are less likely to to assume a lump is breast cancer and delay seeking help. For men, they will usually find a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola."

"Scientists are still researching the causes of breast cancer and new data is uncovered everyday. Thus far, there is no single cause of breast cancer that we have identified. All we can say is there are several risk factors that can increase a person's likelihood of developing breast cancer. These include both genetic and environmental factors. Having them does not guarantee a person will develop breast cancer and having none of them does not guarantee a person will not develop it."

"Genetic risk factors are risk factors that can't be changed. They include being female, older than 55, Caucasian, family history of breast cancer, early menstruation (before 12), late menopause (after 55), and dense breast tissue, just to name a few. These are risk factors and do not guarantee a person will develop breast cancer. They only increase the likelihood."

"Environmental risk factors can be addressed and removed. They include alcohol (which is a risk factor for many other cancers as well, not just breast cancer), a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity, a poor diet high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables, radiation to the chest, and taking hormone replacement therapy (occasionally prescribed for menopause) are a few of them."

"It's important to stay educated about your health and not give in to panic whenever you read rumors or quack science articles online. Some myths surrounding breast cancer can cause unnecessary worry. Breast cancer is NOT contagious and does not spread from person to person. You also cannot get it by wearing bras with an under-wire,  or mammograms which are the best preventative measure to identify and treat breast cancer before it kills you."

Breast cancer is a very real, common occurrence in our world! Don't look away from the facts. If you are a female over 50, make sure you stay up to date with getting mammograms and checking your breasts for lumps or any unusual areas. Catching it in it's early stage provides the best chance of a successful treatment and recovery so you can enjoy your life to it's fullest!

For more information about breast cancer, visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation's website by clicking here, and speak with your primary care doctor.