Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
It seems that every month has a disease attached to it. And with good reason. Any
chance to highlight health risks and learn ways to protect ourselves is a good thing.
So with that in mind, did you know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness
month?
“Awareness” is a meaningful word, but it means more than simply being aware that the disease exists. Forewarned is forearmed as they say, so awareness translates into
actually taking action.
How do you take action against breast cancer?
“There is a lot of information out there, especially during this time of year,” said Robin Long, outreach-education coordinator of Caring Connections, an organization that provides no-cost breast and cervical health services to eligible women and support to women with breast cancer. “Susan G. Komen for the Cure has looked at the research and has devised four steps that all women should practice.”
First off, know your risk.
Just being a woman is your number one risk for breast cancer. And as you get older, your risk increases. So many women believe that because there is no family history of breast cancer, they don’t need to worry about it, but that is just not true. However, if you do have a family history of breast or other cancers, tell your health care provider and discuss any other risk factors you have. You can contact Caring Connections for more information on factors that increase breast cancer risk.
Secondly, get screened.
For women with an average risk factor who have no symptoms, an annual mammogram starting at age 40 is important, as is a clinical breast exam performed by the medical provider at a yearly physical. Women with an increased risk of breast cancer may need increased surveillance.
“Annual mammograms and clinical breast exams by a health care professional increase the chances of detecting cancer early,” said Long. “And early detection is the best way to increase survival rates. When cancer is found confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is now 98 percent.”
Third, know what is normal for you.
All women are different and what is normal for one is abnormal for another so a monthly breast self-exam can help you become familiar with your own body and notice if anything is unusual. Signs of breast cancer can include unusual lumps, but also swelling, a change in the size or shape of the breast, dimpling or puckering of the skin or a discharge or rash around the nipple. It is important to note that though any of these changes are most likely to be caused by something other than breast cancer, it is still important to have anything unusual checked out as soon as possible.
And lastly, make healthy lifestyle choices.
Sadly, we don’t know how to prevent breast cancer, however there are several things that can reduce the risk:
• Maintain a healthy weight. And as if menopause were not stressful enough, weight gain after the fact actually increases a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer.
So if you have gained weight, losing it may reduce your risk.
• Do some exercise. It helps fight obesity, lowers estrogen levels and improves immune function. Thirty minutes on most days is recommended.
• Limit alcohol intake. More than one drink a day is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, staying focused on breast health all year round is important for good health.
If you want more information about free breast and cervical health services or support services for women diagnosed with breast cancer, call Caring Connections at
941-2808, ext. 337 or 338.
Caring Connections a program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center and is funded through Healthcare Charities.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns a public relations firm in Bangor. Email her at 4chtaylor@gmail.com.