We’re coming up on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and this is a month that should not be neglected on any woman’s calendar. Last year there were 269,730 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society offered a sobering estimate that there would be about 275,000 cases of it diagnosed this year.
How Can We Not Exercise Our Awareness?
The pink ribbon campaign is extremely successful in penetrating the American consciousness. You see the pink labels, you see the pink ribbons and you have to be careful that the saturation point hasn’t been exceeded. It’s like the fact that the little magnetic yellow ribbons we put on the backs of our cars. Everyone has one; do you even read them anymore? Do you have a pink ribbon out there somewhere? Do you see the pins on women?
At the same time, breast cancer is a real fear for women and we can do something about it. It begins and ends with education and self-care. For example, ladies, if you haven’t had a physical in the last year – it’s time to schedule one. If you haven’t been performing self-examination of your breasts monthly, it’s time to do it. If you aren’t exercising regularly and taking care of your overall health – stop thinking about yesterday and look forward to tomorrow – and get cracking.
10 Percent of Breast Pain is Related to Cancer
Educate yourself so that you understand the facts and the realities of breast cancer. For example, only 10 percent of breast pain is related to cancer. Breast soreness can be caused by a variety of problems including wearing a wrong size bra, you’re about to get your period, you’re pregnant or you’re overdoing it at the gym.
And if you’re wondering whether a mammogram is really worth it, consider the fact that despite the sobering number of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, a Swedish study has found that the mortality rate of breast cancer dropped 44 percent between 1978 and 1997 – after mammography was introduced and became part of the annual exam for women after the age of 40.
When was the last time you had a physical or performed a self-exam?
*Stay tuned for more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Self-Examination and more. It’s time to pay attention to our health and fitness issues and ourselves as women.
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