This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. People wear pink ribbon lapel pins during this time to honor those who have survived or lost their lives to the disease. The pin stands as a symbol to increase awareness about breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation has made efforts over the years to bring education to low-income communities everywhere. Breast cancer is one of the leading health crises for women. 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed throughout her lifetime and there is no known cure for it. That is why it is so important for women to take preventative action.
Women should periodically get mammograms to catch an early detection of breast cancer. The earlier the diagnosis, the better chance there is to fight cancer. When one gets diagnosed with breast cancer there really is not a known cause that can pinpoint how one woman develops cancer as opposed to someone else. Women should keep in mind the risk factors that would likely lead to an increase in developing breast cancer, such as having a family history of it. Some symptoms and signs that are most common are the change in how the breast or nipple looks and feels. This can range from a difference in skin texture or enlarged pores on the breast. Another sign is if there is an unexplained change in size, especially if on only one side, or dimpling on the breast. Part of taking preventative action does include self-exams that women should attempt on a monthly basis. Self-exams can be done in the shower or in front of a mirror, pressing around the breast and armpit area to feel for any out-of-the-ordinary lumps. If found, book an appointment with medical physicians to determine if the lumps are cancerous or not.
However, low-income areas that do not have health insurance or have higher poverty rates affect the breast cancer survival rate. They have less education in the world that is the healthcare system and the NBCF strives to help educate people. Low to middle-income communities have a higher risk of dying of cancer in general. The lack of access to clinical care is just one factor that contributes to the disparities of cancer death.
In recent years there have been advances in breast cancer research. The research is vital towards finding better ways to detect and treat breast cancer in order to increase the quality of life for patients. There has been early detection and treatment research in order to try and find new therapies and technology in order to better understand the tumors. According to the American Cancer Society, “Breast Cancer death rates declined 40% from 1989 to 2016 among women. The progress is attributed to improvements in early detection.” Hopefully, in the years to come, there will be even more improvements towards treatments and diagnosis.
Resources to get more information about breast cancer awareness and research:
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research
National Breast Cancer Foundation- https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month
Breast Cancer Research Foundation- https://www.bcrf.org/