OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as many of you may already know. Usually when I see this somewhere I am reminded of the people that have battled through this disease whether they survived or not. It brings to mind the tens of thousands of people that come out every year to run or walk to raise money for this cause. Although millions of dollars are raised every year, it still doesn’t stop the disease from developing in so many women’s bodies. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. According to the Amercian Cancer Society, an estimated 192, 370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. Sadly, an estimated 40, 170 women are expected to die from the disease in 2009 alone. Today there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S.
With these high numbers, it is so important to be aware of how to lower the risks of developing breast cancer. Here are some things you can do to lower your risk:
1. First of all, understand what breast cancer is: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in one or both breasts usually in the milk ducts. Hormones play a big role in the development of breast cancer. Estrogen causes a doubling of cancer cells in 36 hours. Progesterone seems to cause stromal cells (women’s own cells) to send out signals to feed the tumor with more blood. There are two types of breast cancer: invasive and non-invasive. Also, knowing the stage of cancer is extremely important.
2. Know the risk factors:
Sex, age, family history, personal history, breast cancer gene (BRCA1 or 2), having an earlier first period, having a first pregnancy after the age of 25 or 35, having no children at all, use of hormone replacement therapy, poor diet, insufficient amount of physical activity, alcohol use and smoking
3. Make lifestyle changes.
-Decrease your daily fat intake, especially with saturated and hydrogenated fats.
-Increase fiber in your diet.
-Eat fresh fruits and vegetables–orange veggies like carrots have been shown to lower breast cancer risk in pre-menopausal women and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cabbage and kale contain sulforaphane which may keep breast cancer cells from spreading
-Limit alcohol.
-STAY ACTIVE!!! Bootcamp will help you with this!!!
-Don’t Smoke
-Eat Walnuts which cut the chance of developing tumors.
-Eat Soy foods which contain cancer-fighting isoflavones.
-Eat Whole grains because they are rich in phytoestrogens and they send less glucose into your system than white flour does.
4. Get screened. Get annual and bi-annual check-ups. Do self breast exams at home.
Most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer so please be aware and stay aware. Show support for this cause and most importantly pay attention to your body. Get screened. Stay active. Stay healthy. Pay attention to your body.
For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness visit
http://www.nbcam.org
-Liz Samuel
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