Good morning friends. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and today I wanted to remind you how important self-breast exams, visits with your doctor and annual screenings are. All of these can help detect breast cancer early and increase survival rates.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? It is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer on women and men. The goal is to get as many people as possible involved in raising awareness and funds. Thankfully many corporations, including the NFL support this worthy cause.
Who Started Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries. Betty Ford helped kick off the week-long event, as she was herself a survivor of breast cancer. She was diagnosed when her husband, Gerald Ford, was president of the United States and brought even more attention to breast cancer.
My Family History of Breast Cancer
This is a cause that is very close to my heart. If you have read my blog for any length of time than you may have seen mention that my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 36 years old. I can still remember the day she went in for her mastectomy, I was 14 years old. Thankfully she is alive and well and turns 77 today, she was able to see her children married and have their own children.
My cousin was diagnosed at the age of 35, while pregnant with her third son, she delayed treatment until after she gave birth so the baby was not affected. Sadly the treatment was not successful and she passed away just after her 39th birthday. Her mother was diagnosed several years later and had a double mastectomy. In addition several of my grandmothers sisters passed from the same disease. Needless to say it is a disease that has affected my family for many generations.
As for me, I have been getting yearly monograms since I was 18 years old and my gynecologist fought my insurance company so that I was able to get the BRACA gene test after I was denied the test several times.
Breast Cancer Facts
According to The American Cancer Society:
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. The average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer. This also means there is a 7 in 8 chance she will never have the disease.
- About 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
- About 49,290 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
- About 43,600 women and 500 men will die from breast cancer in 2021.
Why is it Important to do a Monthly Self Exam for Cancer?
Breast cancer can’t be prevented but with regular self exams and recommended screenings it is easier to treat and more likely to be cured. If you feel or see a change in your breasts call your doctor immediately to set up an appointment for an exam.
Self-exams are important but they should not replace mammograms or other exams recommended by your doctors. Make sure to schedule regular appointments with your primary care provider or gynecologist.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
What are the Steps of a Monthly Self- Exam?
According to The Cleveland Clinic a monthly breast exam includes three things:
- A Visual exam: “With your shirt and bra removed, stand in front of a mirror. Put your arms down by your sides. Look for any changes in breast shape, breast swelling, dimpling in the skin or changes in the nipples. Next, raise your arms high overhead and look for the same things. Finally, put your hands on your hips and press firmly to make your chest muscles flex. Look for the same changes again. Be sure to look at both breasts.”
- Manual Inspection Standing: “With your shirt and bra removed, use your right hand to examine your left breast, then vice versa. With the pads of your three middle fingers, press on every part of one breast. Use light pressure, then medium, then firm. Feel for any lumps, thick spots or other changes. A circular pattern may help you make sure you hit every spot. Then, press the tissue under the arm. Be sure to check under the areola and then squeeze the nipple gently to check for discharge. Repeat the steps on the other side of your body.”
- Manual Inspection Lying Down: “When you lie down, your breast tissue spreads more evenly,. So this is a good position to feel for changes, especially if your breasts are large. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, apply the same technique as step 2, using the pads of your fingers to press all parts of the breast tissue and under your arm. Finally, swap the pillow to the other side, and check the other breast and armpit. Be sure to check under the areola and then squeeze the nipple gently to check for discharge.” Source: The Cleveland Clinic.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
How Often and When Should You Get Mammograms?
Breast cancer screening guidelines changed several years ago and not everyone agrees on the age to start them but all organizations recommend that you discuss your history, your family history, and your individual risk and options with your doctor.
Many doctors offer mammograms beginning at the age of 40(unless you have a family history). If you have never had a mammogram, there is nothing to be afraid of. I will be honest they are a little uncomfortable (not painful). But isn’t a few minutes of discomfort worth a little peace of mind and your health?
I urge you to get yearly mammograms and to encourage your sisters, mothers, friends and any other women you know to do the same. I just had mine last week and am awaiting the results.
Image Pinterest
Where Can I Get More Information About Breast Cancer?
If you would like more information please visit The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation to learn about the current research and trials being done, to give a donation of to learn more about prevention. You can also visit BreastCancer.org, and The American Cancer Society for new studies and information on all cancers.
We are our own best advocates so take care of yourself and please do your exams, and make sure to schedule your mammogram.
Have a great day friends.
This post contains affliate links.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Think Pink!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Wellness Wednesday: My Wellness Routine
Congratulations to your dear mother on her upcoming special birthday – she'll be my age – but my next one is coming up this month too so I'm still older, haha!
Sorry you have lost dear ones from breast cancer, some so young. Your poster is a eye opener, and frightening, as cancer numbers always are. I'm glad it included men. Some people have no idea that they can also get breast cancer. My dear hubby is one of few men who did, many years back, and went through surgery and chemo, and has done well.
Off later today – hope to post from ship when Internet is working, always slow though, especially uploading pix, so becomes really expensive. Will probably wait until home again to do any in depth blogging!
Take care – stay cool in these unbelievable October temps in the southeast!!!!
Mary x
Other cancers have been present in my family, but not this one.
Thanks for highlighting this. As a survivor I know how important it is. And I love the pink pumpkins! Visiting you from the imparting grace link up.
Lauren thank you for coming over, it is indeed a very important message. Sometimes women take care of everyone else but themselves.
It’s a shame you have lost many to breast cancer. We have to be diligent about our Healthcare
It’s wonderful your mom is doing so well
Thank you Cindy. Cancer is a terrible disease. I am so thankful that my mom is a survivor!
Thank you so much for sharing this important post Elizabeth. Wow I was really feeling the weight of the breast cancer history in your family, and I’m so thankful that you are so vigilant with your own breast health. It’s also in our family, my mom had breast cancer oh, and my mother-in-law died in her early forties from breast cancer. So I have already been advocating for my daughter to be able to start getting mammograms. Thank you again for this excellently written and informative post
Dee, I hope that you have your daughter go for a mammogram as soon as she is able or at least do the monthly self exams. It is so important. Thank you for your kind words about the post! xo my friend.
Not a kind of cancer that is prevalent in my family, but there have been others.
Cancer of any kind is a challenge for all families. Have a great weekend William.
Breast cancer runs in my family. Mama had it as did several other family members. I expected breast cancer to attack me, not lung cancer. even though my dad died of lung cancer. He was a smoker and I have the kind of lung cancer that nonsmokers get.
Paula, cancer is a beast. I am so sorry that you are going through this, but you are a fighter and there is an army of people behind you praying for you! Take care.
Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this information and your own family story,
You are very welcome e Linda. Have a wonderful weekend.
What an incredibly meaningful post. I am so happy your Mother is doing well. I have to tell you, I have never had one and am in my 50’s. You inspired me to call Monday and make an appointment. So your blog is making a huge differnce. Thank you!
Melba, that is so kind of you to say. I am so blessed to have my mom and am of course very sad to have lost so many family members but I hope that their loss encourages others to do monthly breast checks and have yearly exams. Have a wonderful day!
Elizabeth,
Thanks for this post. I too have an extensive family history of breast cancer and have gotten a mammo every year since I was 28. I am now 61 and still do self exams and yearly mammos. We can’t be too careful when we have a history. Wishing you good health!
Mary, we have to be our own “doctors” and advocates. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for sharing this important reminder. I’m sure most people know someone who has been impacted by breast cancer. Thinking of you during this particularly thought provoking month.
Rachel, I think you are right. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sorry I just saw this! Yes of course please do share the information!!!
Thank you again for sharing such important messages!!
Thank you for posting about breast cancer awareness!!
As a breast cancer survivor of 5 years I’d like to add one piece of advice for your readers. I never missed a mammogram for over 10 years straight but had constant left side chest pain. They always said cancer doesn’t hurt (myth). Finally was caught by an ultrasound tech who checked my underarm during an ultrasound and saw it had spread to the lymph nodes there. What I learned is that I had extremely dense breast tissue. So dense that a regular mammogram couldn’t detect my extremely large mass (15 cm). So with the breast I have left I always demand a 3d mammogram now.
Dense breast tissues women must get 3d tomography mammograms in order to see it clearly.
Christine, thank goodness you are here and a 5 year survivor! That is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your experience and your information. Would it be ok if I add this comment to my post? I think my readers would find this information valuable.
Thank you gain,
Elizabeth
Yes of course!!
Please do!! Thank you again for bringing attention to such an important topic!!
I thought I responded to this already but didn’t see it so I’m responding again.
Elizabeth, This is a great reminder. I’m so glad to hear your mom is doing well! My best friend is an internal med doctor and she also has a family history of breast cancers. She and other friends here in the Bay Area now alternate mammogram with ultrasound, or in her case- MRI every 6 months as they feel a year is too long to go. Seems like that is the new thinking around here if you have it in the family. Are you also? I just had mine and it’s always a relief to have that done. xo Kim
Kim, thank you! I am so blessed to have my mom. I have had several ultra-sounds as well. Thank you for the reminder about that.
It is always a relief to get it done and to have the results back.
Can’t wait to see what you are up too this weekend!
xo
Elizabeth
Thank you for sharing such a truly important message. So thankful your Mom is doing well. It’s such a devastating disease.
Thank you Leslie! I am thankful everyday that my mom is still here and very blessed to have her.
Hi Elizabeth,
What a thoughtful post and thank you for sharing so much about your mother and family members with us. A huge blessing that your mother is a Cancer survivor. So very sorry to hear about loss in your family. It’s such a dreadful disease.
Yes, I have known several women that have passed away from breast Cancer. It was sad to
witness. Also a recent friend that was a 10 year survivor but it returned. Major surgery and all appears to be good. A huge blessing.
You are so smart being proactive with your breast health. Take care of your sweet self.
Katherine, thank you for your kinds words and comments. I am indeed blessed that my mother is a cancer survivor. My heart goes out to all who are battling this horrific disease.
I hope that your friend is well, I will keep her in my prayers.
Are you enjoying Fall? Is it getting cold there? And lastly, have you had any snow yet?
Have a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth