FOX13′s Family Focus wants to highlight October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — FOX13′s Family Focus wants to highlight October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This annual campaign raises awareness about the impact of breast cancer.

We want to show support for people affected by this type of cancer every single day.

For more than 18-months, many have focused on the impact of the Coronavirus, often taking breast cancer out of the limelight.

During the month of October, we want breast cancer to be front and center. In fact, did you know each year in the United States, 255,000 develop breast cancer and about 42,000 die from the disease.

Who’s at risk for breast cancer:

• The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention sites women who are older and have changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• Also, most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old and older, but breast cancer can affect younger women too.
• Women with inherited gene mutations, having dense breasts, having previous treatment from radiation therapy, a history of breast cancer or non-cancerous diseases.
• A woman’s risk is also higher is she has several family members who’ve previously had breast cancer

How to reduce the risk of breast cancer:

According to the American Cancer Society, there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your risk.

• Stay at a healthy weight, increased body weight and weight gain are linked to breast cancer
• Be physically active: Studies show exercising can lower your risk
• Avoid or limit alcohol: Alcohol increases your risk of getting breast cancer, even low levels of alcohol can have an impact
• Getting a yearly mammogram: It allows doctors to take images of your breast to detect any sign of breast cancer
• Self breast exam: You know your body better than anyone else. Doctors say you should exam your own breast every week.

Detection starts with you, in fact most breast cancer patients are diagnosed after finding a mass on their breast by doing a self- examination.

Symptoms of breast cancer:

• Some common warning signs of breast cancer include a new lump in the breast or underarm area
• Swelling in the breast, changes in the skin on the nipple area or pain to the breast

Treatments for breast cancer:

There are several ways to treat breast cancer, but it depends in the type and how far it has spread in the body.

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone treatment

If you ever have questions or concerns about your breast, make sure to consult your doctor for more information.

FOX13 will support this month through stories and graphics.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - National Breast Cancer Foundation

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