Breast Cancer awareness
By: Emma Beatty
Since 1985, October has been deemed Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this time, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) raises awareness for the most common type of cancer in women. Breast cancer tragically kills thousands of women worldwide every year. By dedicating the month of October to this cause, NBCF hopes to make sure women and men both get examined before it is too late. They also attempt to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease through education on symptoms and treatment.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is very important as it has increased attention and support to get examined or treated. As with most cancers, early detection of breast cancer can be the difference between life and death. Early detection begins with you! The easiest symptoms to notice are changes in breast and nipple shape or size. If a breast develops a lump, it should be checked out immediately. All lumps should be examined, but not all lumps are cancerous. Nipple discharge while not breastfeeding is another symptom that should be checked by a medical professional. Symptoms in men are very similar to those in women. Any change in the breast area could be a symptom.
Once you go to an appointment to have a symptom checked, there are a few steps that can occur. The first is a visual examination by a physician. They will also give a manual check where they feel the breast tissue in question. Following this, you could either have a mammogram or an ultrasound if the physician finds it necessary. A mammogram is a type of x-ray that is specialized for breast tissue. Should something be found, a biopsy could be the next step. Remember: Symptoms do not mean that you have cancer!
If you would like to help during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are a few things you can do. The first is to wear a pink ribbon which represents breast cancer. The symbol was created to help honor those who have been diagnosed or have died. The second is to donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to help their efforts. One last way is to attend events, such as walk-a-thons, that help raise awareness and even donate some of the money raised.