Breast Cancer: What You Should Know

Hey Just Tri babes!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The unfortunate reality is that we all probably know someone who has been negatively impacted by some form of cancer or another. Breast cancer is a global burden, but in the United States alone, 1 out of every 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. As a female, there are things you should know about your breasts and cancer so you can act quickly to prevent the disease from having major health and wellness effects on you or a loved one.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease that originates in the breast tissue. It is often found in women, but 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. is found in a man. Infected cells (i.e. cancer cells) in the breast begin to grow out of control and spread, metastasize, to other parts of the body.

The Stats and Disparities

- 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime

- In 2022, an estimated 287,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S.

- There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

- An estimated 43,550 women die each year from breast cancer in the U.S.

- Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S.

- Breast cancer rates are 40% higher among Black women than white women

- Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Latin women living in the U.S.

What symptoms should I look for?

Common warning signs for breast cancer are:

- New lump in the breast area or armpit.

- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

- Irritated or dimpling of breast skin.

- Discoloration, redness, or flaky skin around the nipple area.

- Pain in the breast.

- Nipple discharge other than breast milk.

These symptoms can arise with other underlying conditions so it's important to consult your health care provider at the onset.

How do I know my risk of breast cancer?

Discuss these factors with your doctor:

- Your personal history of breast problems

- Your family's history of breast cancer

- Your breast density (amount of connective and fatty tissue in your breasts)

- Your age. Most breast cancers are found in women after the age of 50.

- Exposure to radiation treatment therapy in the chest or breast area.

- If you inherited breast gene mutations (changes) in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Women with these gene mutations are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Things you can do to reduce your risk

Adopting a healthy and active lifestyle is a great way to combat the proliferation of cancer cells.

- Maintain a healthy weight

- Engage in regular activity

- Limit alcohol consumption

What can I do to find breast cancer early?

Research has not shown a benefit from self-exams in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It's best to visit your OBGYN or primary doctor annually to screen for early signs and symptoms. Women between the ages of 50 to 74 years should get a mammogram every 2 years. If your family has a history of breast cancer, it's recommended to begin screening in your early 40s. If you're a female between the age of 38-49, begin having conversations with your doctor about when to start screening regularly.

When should girls be taught about breast cancer?

Teenage girls are at an extremely low risk of breast cancer, but it is always important to educate them on these health topics as early as possible. There's also no reason for a teenage girl to perform breast self-exams with the intention of identifying breast cancer because her breasts are likely to grow and change, also swell and develop tenderness across the phases of her menstrual cycle. 

Having the knowledge to identify breast cancer early and take action quickly is crucial to beating the disease. Since 1990, death rates from breast cancer have been declining due to effective screening measures, earlier detection, increased awareness, and improvements in treatment options. We can beat this!!

Remember to hug your mama, daughter, girlfriends, and non-binary friends extra tight! Life is short. But it doesn't have to be shorten because of breast cancer. Women can and will overcome this tragic disease. Knowledge is power. Empowered women, empower women. Share this post with someone you think will benefit from it! We're all in this together :)

Thank you for reading this week's blog! Just Tri Performance is narrowing the blog post focus during the month of October to support women's health, breast education, and saving the ta-tas. Be sure to check back in for more!

Have a great week, get some movement in, and as always, Just Tri!!

Yours in Sport,

Lindsay

P.S. Help support and grow my business by following the Just Tri Performance social media pages on Instagram, TikTok, and subscribe on YouTube!!

Instagram: @just_tri365 | TikTok: @justtri_performance | YouTube