breast cancer month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It’s October, Breast Cancer awareness month is upon us again. Reduce your chances of breast cancer by getting a mammogram, it takes less than 30 minutes, is relatively painless, and you only need to go once a year. You have your teeth cleaned more often than that! Dirty teeth can not kill you, breast cancer can. There are so many advancements in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, that there is no longer a reason to be afraid. Cancer can not be cured until it is found, when found early statistics prove your chances of survival are phenomenal. In the 1950′s a lump in your breast ended in death 40% to 50% of the time. With today’s advances, a lump can be detected long before it can be felt in an ordinary breast exam. Treatments and advanced surgical techniques have increased the chances of you surviving breast cancer, and the death rate continues to decrease approximately 2% per year.

Changes in your eating habits may also contribute to a healthier life. Fruits and vegetables have always been “good for you”, but increasing whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lowering your intake of processed meats and sweets may help lower the risk of breast cancer. Statistics have shown that thinner and younger women who eat a “healthier diet” are less likely to develop breast cancer.

Ladies you probably take care of everyone else in your life, parents, husbands, children, friends and neighbors. It takes just a few minutes to take care of yourself! Reward yourself on mammogram day, take yourself out for lunch, nothing spectacular, but by rewarding yourself every year it may give you the little added incentive to take better care of yourself, stay healthy and enjoy life as long as you can.