Every October, as much of the world is tinted in warm autumnal colors, we in the health and wellness world are seeing pink. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is all about raising awareness and educating, as well as supporting the 2.3 million women worldwide who are affected by the disease. A breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating, and as our own Yahoo Life editors have reported, how one deals with it is deeply personal. Fortunately, new developments in breast cancer research and how it can be detected are happening all the time. Here’s what I’m currently reading up on.
1.To look out for a refresher on signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good reminder to brush up on the basics so that you can detect the disease early. To start, be familiar with what your breasts usually look and feel like (it’s your body — don’t be shy) and be on the lookout for any unusual changes. Symptoms of breast cancer may include a lump or bump; changes in the color of the breast skin; changes in the size, shape or appearance of the breast or nipple; or any unusual discharge.
And while men are much less likely to get breast cancer (the average man has a one in 833 chance of developing the disease at some point in his lifetime, while women have a one in eight chance), they certainly aren’t immune. Dr. Shane Dormady, an oncology specialist at El Camino Health in Mountain View, Calif., recommends men perform a self-exam every couple of months by feeling for hard lumps in the chest area and under and inside armpits, and by looking for changes in skin texture or to nipples.
2.According to the latest American Cancer Society report, the diagnosis is increasing especially between some groups
3.Do you know how dense your breasts are? You will know after your next mammogram.
The next time you get a mammogram, the results should include information on the breast density – or how much fatty tissue is fibroglandular tissue. This is because a new rule by the Food and Drug Administration, which became effective in early September, now requires all mammogram reports sent to patients in the US to assess breast density.
Breast density is valuable health information for two reasons: the more density your breasts are, the more difficult it can be
4.Cost is discouraging many women from asking for breast cancer screening and treatment
U.S. Health care is fairly very expensive, and a result is that the price tag can be a decisive factor for many people’s medical decisions. A new national survey published in September found that there was no screening of breast cancer in the previous year, not one -third of women, which cost cost as cost. While mammograms are independent for more than 40 women, insurance companies cannot cover screening for young women or additional tests such as ultrasound and MRI. Among the women involved in the survey, 48% said that they were “unlikely to pursue treatment if they are diagnosed if their out-of-packet cost is more than $ 2,000,” and 41% “from treatment with treatment Will have to pass if their out-of-packet cost is more than $ 1,000.
5.What do we know about the link between breast cancer and breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for infants; Breastfeeding women are less likely to develop breast cancer, in which research suggests that the risk of breast cancer is reduced by a woman for breastfeeding every 12 months. But why is he? Disease control and prevention centers have speculated that “one reason may be that when a woman is breastfeeding, she experiences hormonal changes that can delay the return of her menstrual period. This estrogen For example, the hormone reduces lifetime contact, which is associated with increasing risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Was, currently examining another possible cause: breastfeeding can actually help remove harmful cells from a mother’s body (without damaging the baby).
And some more good news for breastfeeding enthusiasts: Two major studies published in September showed for the first time that breastfeeding for breast cancer is safe for new mothers.
Dr. of European Institute of Oncology IRCCs in Milan. “With this new information, we can dismiss the myth that breastfeeding is neither possible nor safe for people survived by breast cancer,” Fedro Alesandro Pescoteri said in a statement. “They can have a normal pregnancy and relationship with their baby, including breastfeeding.
