Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been celebrated every October for the last 90 years. It is called “Pink October” as people around the world adopt the pink colour and display a pink ribbon to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and routine screening for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, now the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. Many people have organised charity events so if you didn’t make one this year try to remember “Pink October” for next year. And wear pink to show your support, at work, at school and when you are out and about.
An estimated 30% of breast cancer cases are attributed to modifiable risk factors, understand what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk or chat to one of our professional carers who are always on hand.
Reduce your risk of breast cancer by making better behavioural choices which include:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- staying physically active
- avoiding harmful use of alcohol
- breastfeeding
- quitting tobacco use and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke
- avoiding the prolonged use of hormones
- avoiding excessive exposure to radiation
If you think you have one or more of the above symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Although these could be caused by a non-cancerous mass, an exam is required for proper diagnosis.
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
- change in nipple appearance or alteration in the skin surrounding the nipple (areola)
- bloody or abnormal nipple discharge
- a lump or thickening in the breast
- change in breast colour
- pitting of the breast skin
- breast or nipple pain
It’s very important to keep your appointments.
Currently, the Spanish Ministry of Health recommends a mammogram every two years from age 50 if you do not present any risk factors or are not experiencing symptoms compatible with breast cancer. The whole process is quick, painless and most importantly the results are very quick. If you are not in the Spanish Health Care system then you can either go private or contact Maria and the Pink Ladies charity. https://pink-ladies.org/about-us/
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