3 Ways to Detect and Prevent Breast Cancer
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, where worldwide campaigns were targeted at creating awareness on the second most prevalent cancer among women.The aim is to one day eradicate it.
There are roughly 270,000 new cases of breast cancer that have been predicted to be diagnosed in the year 2019 among women. This is an alarmingly high number and it’s why early detection can save lives.
These are ways that can help prevent and detect breast cancer:
- Stay Healthy
Risk factors such as age and genes cannot be overlooked when taking into account one’s health. One is recommended to maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly. Avoiding alcohol and smoking can decrease your chance of developing breast cancer as these can trigger the growth of cancer cells.
- Be Aware of the Symptoms
During self-examination, women are advised to look out for new lumps or masses in their breasts. Swollen skin, redness, flaking, and dimpling, are the other signs to look out for. Change in shape of breast is also a sign, but can sometimes be misleading.
Make sure to consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Regular Screenings are Important
Emphasis has been placed on the need for regular screening. This is the surest way you can detect cancer of the breast. The breast tissue may be dense and therefore the lump may not be felt by simply touching the breast.
Screening enables one to see deep into the breast tissue and determine the size of the lump as well.
It is also important as some women do not have any symptoms. This makes it hard to tell during self-examination. This is why regular screening is good.
You are advised to start getting mammograms regularly from 40 years and above.