Breast Cancer Awareness Month - A Little Knowledge Can Save a Life

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Our Lake of the Ozarks medical spa realizes that this is a very important topic, so we are using today's blog to educate everyone and raise some awareness.  The more you know now, the better your chances will be of catching it early if the signs are there.  

Facts:

• All women are at risk for breast cancer.
• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and the 2nd leading cause of death among women.
• It can happen to men too, but it is rare.  A little over 400 men die of breast cancer each year, compared to over 40,000 women yearly.

As frightening as those statistics are, there is some hopeful news.  For the past 25 years, the deaths caused by breast cancer have declined.  This is due greatly to the increased awareness.  Early detection can save your life, and if you are diagnosed, treatments continue to get better and better every year.   

Risk Factors

There are many things that qualify a person as "at risk."  Some can be controlled, but there are a lot of factors that are genetic.  Risks to keep an eye on are:

• Women over the age of 55
• A family history of beast or ovarian cancer.  Your risk increases if they were diagnosed before the age of 50.
• Your menstruation began before age 12, or menopause started after 55.
• You have never had a baby, or you had your first child later in life.  
• You have dense breast tissue, making it difficult to detect lumps. 
• You previously had breast cancer in one breast.
• Obesity
• Radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30
• Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Don't immediately get worried if you fall under any of these categories.  Only 30%-40% of the people that are diagnosed with breast cancer have these factors.  They don't mean that you will get it, and the don't mean you are immediately safe if none pertain to you.  They are just factors to look out for to defend yourself.

Warning Signs:

Not all women will have the same warning signs.  If you notice one or more of the following, it is wise to have your doctor take a look.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.  

• A lump or hard knot inside the breast or underarm area.
• A pain in your breast that does not go away.
• The size or shape of your breast is noticeably different.
• Your breast is swollen, red, or darker than usual.
• The skin is puckered or dimpled.
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly.
• Your nipples are itchy, scaly, or sore.

Prevention:

Some of the behaviors that also put you at risk can be controlled, and sometimes avoided completely.  A few things that you can do to reduce your risks are also great, healthy advice for everyday life.

• Exercise!  Stay active. 
• Eat a diet low in saturated fat and full of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit alcohol consumption.  

October 16 is World Mammography Day.  The American Cancer Society suggests that all women have a yearly mammogram beginning at the age of 40. Between the ages of 20-30, women should get a clinical breast exam with their regular checkups.

No part of this blog is meant to frighten anyone.  It is simply factual information that everyone should be aware.  Every women should do a self-check on herself for lumps monthly.  The more familiar you are with your own body, the easier it will be to notice any changes.

Serenity Medical Spa wants to make sure that all of our wonderful customers are healthy and happy.  Hopefully you learned something helpful from this blog. Share it with the people you love to raise their awareness too.  

Lake of the Ozarks Premier Medical Spa

Beauty is our Business   

111 Crossings West, Suite 3

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

573-365-5002 

Visit us at 

www.SerenityMedicalSpa.com   

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