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Well, we’re almost at the end of October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While I’m really not in to the wash of pink and the positive spin (and triviality?) that it conveys, there is still an underlying message here that I would like my sisters across the world to understand and that is that breast cancer can strike any of us.
Most breast cancers aren’t genetic. I think the figure is somewhere around 90% that aren’t. Certain lifestyle factors can play a part. Alcohol is certainly one of them but stress can be another that leaves you open (as it does for many chronic diseases). Hmmm…alcohol and stress…double whammy… And being overweight, etc, etc… But there are many women out there who have lived exemplary lives in the health stakes, staying fit, eating the right food, etc. who still get breast cancer for no other reason than that they are female. Unfortunately, our sex is by far the major risk factor to this disease.
So, what I am asking you, my friend, is to get to know your breasts and the potential signal that something is wrong. Yes, we all know about lumps but did you know that many breast cancers do not present as lumps? Maybe a fifth or more. Or that sometimes the lumps are too deep to feel?
What should you be concerned about apart from lumps? A slight thickening in the breast, dimpling or puckering of the skin, flattening of the nipple or discharge from the nipple, pain, itching, redness, scaliness – basically anything that looks or feels not-quite-right. And don’t forget under the arms. There’s a great graphic floating around with lemons – check it out.
And do you know that in many countries, including Australia, mammograms are free from 40 years old (although often only advertised from 50). Yes, they may be embarrassing. Yes, they can be uncomfortable or more than a bit painful. Yes, you are busy. But believe me, breast cancer trumps all of those. So get thee to a breast screening clinic if you haven’t already done so. And when you have it done, ask about your breast density. Dense breasts can make it hard to pick out the cancer so it’s worth knowing about and, at present in Australia, only WA Breastscreen make it standard practice to advise women of this. If you find something of concern after you have had a mammogram, see your GP – mammos aren’t infallible and cancers grow.
And if you’re younger than 40 and notice something, follow it up and don’t be brushed off. So many GPs are, unfortunately, not as aware as they should be. (And don’t be brushed off if you’re older, either.)
So, tell your sisters, your daughters, your mothers, your nieces and your friends. Don’t forget the men, either. While it’s far less common , men do get breast cancer (approx. 18000 women pa in Australia compared to approx. 250 men pa), and often don’t recognise the problem or their GP doesn’t – this leads to men being diagnosed at late stage cancer.
It’s scary stuff but much scarier if you don’t do something about it.
That’s my bit for Think Pink.