October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness and prevention of breast cancer. Check out these tips to remind you of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer so you and your loved ones can enjoy better health and live well.

Know Your Risks and Recommended Screenings Women have a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetime — for men the chance is 1 in 833 during their lifetime. Regular mammograms, self-checks and screenings can save lives. Men and women with a family history of breast cancer are at increased risk for the disease.

Know Breast Cancer’s Warning Signs If you notice a lump or thickening in the breast, skin dimpling, change in breast shape, breast pain or nipple discharge, see your doctor.

Men Get Breast Cancer, Too Men are often diagnosed at a later stage of breast cancer. Men may also be less likely than women to show symptoms.

Exercise and eating well can lower your risk of breast cancer. Active women have a 10-20 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those who are sedentary. Keep these tips in mind —

Keep a Healthy Weight Watch the weight! When women are overweight, estrogen-sensitive breast cancer tissues are exposed to more estrogen than in women of healthy weight.

Know Your BMI Those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher are more likely to die of breast cancer. Survivors who are obese have a higher risk of the disease returning.

Exercise for 30 Minutes a Day — Build Bone Mass Exercise helps improve bone mass — important for survivors who’ve had chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Walking is one the easiest ways to get moving. Get a comfortable pair of shoes and move!

Reduce Your Cancer Chances Exercise also boosts immune function, wards off obesity and lowers estrogen and insulin levels.

Eat a Balanced, Healthy Diet Eat five to eight servings of fruit and vegetables each day. Also, increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids which are found in walnuts, fish, soybeans and pumpkin seeds.

Add Vitamin D Having low levels of vitamin D means a greater risk of developing breast cancer. Get some sun and consider a vitamin D supplement.

Sources: “5 Ways to Boost Breast Health,” health.clevelandclinic.org, July 7, 2020 “Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019-2020,” American Cancer Society, accessed September 2, 2020 “Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms,” American Cancer Society, accessed September 2, 2020

CORP_PDF_DL06_1020

Awareness & Prevention Tips

Breast Cancer