Photo By: Sa’Maria Boyd
As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Since we’re on the tail end of it, I’d like to provide a bit of information to young women because we need to protect ourselves. It’d be very naïve to believe that we’re immune to it because we’re not the “typical” age where women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate. It doesn’t care if you’re a mother, a friend, a sister, an aunt, or a cousin.
Statistics according to BreastCancer.org:
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1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
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For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any cancer, besides lung cancer.
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In women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women than white women. Overall, African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer. For Asian, Hispanic and Native American women, the risk of developing and dying from breast cancer is lower.
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In 2017, an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 63,410 new cases of non-invasive (in-situ) breast cancer.
Find more information and statistics here. Though the statistics are stifling, with research and advancement in technology, more women are being cured of breast cancer.
The first step in protecting ourselves is to learn about how your breasts work. Throughout life, whether it be from puberty, pregnancy, or just mother nature, your breasts are constantly changing. Learning what is normal and what is not is the first step in protecting yourself. More information on this can be found here.
Noticing the changes in your breast is your best bet in detecting it early. No one knows your breasts the way that you do. Pay attention to them! Warning signs include but are not limited to: lumpiness, dimpling or puckering of the skin, pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breasts and nipple discharge that starts suddenly.
The next step is seeing a doctor. If you find a lump or something just doesn’t feel right, the doctor will be there to make sure everything is fine. Even if it’s nothing, it’s better to be on the safe side. Go in and have your breasts examined. I can’t stress enough how important this is. Early detection is the best way to beat breast cancer!
Encourage your family and friends to get tested, not just in October but every time of the year. As it affects the lives of many women, you can never be too sure. There are plenty of ways to get involved in the cure against breast cancer. Many organizations hold walks and take money as a donation. Some are listed below:
It’s an uphill battle, but if we stand together, united, we can do anything! Women are warriors! Let’s show cancer who’s boss!