Join Capital Health Plan (CHP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness in October.
According to the CDC:
- About 240,000 women get breast cancer in the United States every year. About 42,000 women die from it.
- Breast cancer is usually found in women over 50 years of age, but men and younger women are also affected.
Many factors, over the course of a lifetime, can influence your risk of breast cancer. Here are some ways to reduce your risk, according to the CDC:
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Be physically active.
- Choose not to drink alcohol, or drink in moderation.
- If you use or plan to use hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive, talk with your doctor about the risk vs. the benefits of using hormones.
- If you have the choice, consider breastfeeding your children.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use. For help in quitting smoking, call the Florida Quit Line: 1-877-u-can-now (1-877-822-6669).
Getting screened can find breast cancer early, when it is typically easier to treat.
- The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPST) recommends getting a mammogram at least every 2 years from age 40 to 74. Talk with your doctor about whether mammogram screening is right for you and when to be screened. This process is called shared decision-making.
- Have a clinical breast exam. This is an exam done by a nurse or doctor, using their hands to feel for lumps or other changes.
- Be self-aware of changes in your breasts. Know how your breasts look and feel so that you can report changes to your healthcare provider.
Be breast cancer savvy! Know the facts, be aware of your personal risk factors, live a healthy life, and decide with your doctor about screening.
For more information, go to https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer.