October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At FX Spine & Performance Center, we are joining various organizations in the country, such as the CDC, National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and more to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
Facts:
- Each year in the United States, about 264,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.
- Men also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.
- Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women.
Symptoms:
There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms may include:
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
- Pain in any area of the breast.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood).
- A new lump in the breast or underarm.
Risk Factors & Prevention:
Ask your doctor about breast cancer screening and become familiar with your breasts through breast self-exam for breast awareness. Also be aware of the following breast cancer risk factors:
- Being female.
- Increasing age.
- A personal history of breast conditions. If you’ve had a breast biopsy that found lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of breast cancer.
- A personal history of breast cancer. If you’ve had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
- A family history of breast cancer.
- Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-known gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don’t make cancer inevitable.
- Radiation exposure
- Beginning your period at a younger age (before age 12)
- Beginning menopause at an older age
- Having your first child at an older age (after age 30)
- Having never been pregnant
- Postmenopausal hormone therapy; Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.
- Drinking alcohol; drink moderation, if at all.
- Obesity; maintain a healthy weight with daily exercise and a healthy diet.
Pain Associated with Breast Cancer:
For breast cancer survivors experiencing chronic pain, effective interventions are needed. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so to learn more about how FX Spine & Performance Center can reduce chronic pain associated with breast cancer treatment, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicholas DeAngelo. And please help us spread awareness of the disease by visiting this link for free educational guides and breast cancer resources.
