TIME TO LIVE
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WALK
BREAST HEALTH INFORMATION
Learn the Facts
Each year more than 200,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and nearly 40,000 women are expected to die from the disease.
Am I at Risk for Breast Cancer?
All women are at risk for breast cancer.
The most common risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older.
Most women who get breast cancer have no other known risk factors.
Although breast cancer is more common in women over the age of 40, younger women can also get breast cancer.
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My mother had breast cancer, does that mean that I will get it too?
Most women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease. The breast cancer risk linked to family history may be due to either shared lifestyle factors or genetic mutations. However, only about 5-10 percent of breast cancers are due to inherited genetic mutations. If someone in your family has had breast cancer or you are concerned about your risk, talk to your doctor.
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Step 1
Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for:
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Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color.
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Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
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Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.
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A nipple that has changed position or become inverted (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
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Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.
Step 2
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Raise your arms and look for the same changes.
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While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 3
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Feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.
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Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side—from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Step 4
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Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.
What can I do to reduce my risk of getting breast cancer?
We don't know the exact causes of breast cancer. But, you can do things that may improve your overall health and possibly reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit postmenopausal hormone use
Breastfeed, if you can
My breasts feel lumpy and tender at certain times of the month. Does this increase my chance for breast cancer?
Breast lumpiness with tenderness or pain at certain times of the month is common, especially before your period, and don't increase your chance of getting breast cancer. Know how your breasts normally look and feel. If you notice any change, see your doctor.
I am currently taking birth control pills. Do birth control pills increase my risk of breast cancer?
If you are taking birth control pills now, your breast cancer risk is slightly increased. The increased risk from using birth control pills becomes less after you have stopped using them. After about 10 years your risk returns to normal.
Does drinking alcohol increase my chance of breast cancer?
Yes, studies show that drinking alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of gettig breast cancer. If you drink, have less than one drink a day.