Every October, a sea of pink surrounds us in the form of ribbons, hoodies emblazoned with inspirational quotes and even on the uniforms of professional athletes. Unless you’ve been personally affected by breast cancer, though, does the significance of this month really register? Are you using the opportunity to learn more and do more?
If the answer is no, you’re probably not alone. Good health is a luxury that many people take for granted so it’s not surprising that so many walk past the displays without even pausing — but we should. We all should.
Sobering Statistics
Did you know that about 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime? This year alone, it’s estimated that 266,120 will be diagnosed along with 63,960 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. Tragically, more than 40,000 will lose their battle in 2018.
It’s not just women, either. Approximately 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men this year, also — this is something we should all care about.
Know the Signs
The signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer can vary widely from person to person. For this reason, it’s important to make note of any changes and discuss them with a healthcare provider.
The American Cancer Society does list the following symptoms as the types of unusual changes that warrant a trip to the doctor:
- 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
If you notice something that doesn’t seem right, have it checked out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Get Screened
Your first line of defense is to…
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This article was originally posted on forbes.com.
