Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Survivors Gain Strength
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer affecting women today in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 182,460 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2008. About 40,480 women will die from the disease this year. In the United States alone there are two and a half million survivors.
The best methods of breast cancer detection and ergo, eradication is a trifecta of behavioral practices: mammograms, an x-ray of the breast, for screening, clinical exams performed by your health care provider and monthly breast self-examination, BSE. Women over the age of 40 should have yearly mammograms. Women in their 20s and 30s should have regular yearly exams with a physician and it is advised that BSE begin in the 20s. Early detection is the key to survival. It saves lives. Breast cancer survival rates are the highest when detection occurs before symptoms begin.
The American Cancer Society also lists the follow as symptoms. If you experience any of these, see your health care provider immediately.
- swelling of all or part of the breast
- skin irritation or dimpling
- breast pain
- nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
- redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- a nipple discharge other than breast milk
- a lump in the underarm area
Survivors improve physically with exercise
On a more positive note, breast cancer survivors often are left with a limited range of motion in their arms and upper body after surgeries and treatments. CNN recently reported that paddling these ancient Chinese boats is great therapy and exercise for breast cancer survivors. It increases the range of motion, improves strength and minimizes swelling in the upper body.
