Breast Cancer Awareness

     Good afternoon, Fam...  Yes, it's that time of year, again.  Although we should be aware EVERY month of this issue, October is the month we elaborate on BREAST CANCER...  I know from conversations I have had with my female family members and friends, this issue is ignored or at least pushed to the back of their minds.  Let me say, that it should NEVER be taken for granted.  Working in the health industry, I have seen young ladies as young as 25 die from this disease because the thought is, "it won't happen to me"...  AWARENESS for breast cancer is an avenue to help increase attention and support for early detection and treatment of this disease.  This is the optimal time to SPREAD THE WORD and also a time when we can be involved through various events and donation drives.

     You can spread the word by doing what people do everyday like tweeting about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  If you are a blogger or have a newsletter, place a badge on your site or some information in your newsletter.  Here are some sample tweets provided by Healthfinder.gov:

• Send an e-card with breast cancer prevention and screening information to a loved one:  http://1.usa.gov/XQUnj7 
• Did you know?  Breast cancer can occur in men.  Over 2,000 men are diagnosed each year.  Find out more:  http://1.usa.gov/1pMJvou

You can take a look at the National Breast Cancer website (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) for a list of events nationally.  Of course there a many events locally in your area.  You just need to search them out. 

     Most importantly, LADIES, we need to be diligent about getting our MAMMOGRAMS annually or as prescribed.  According to the American Cancer Society, there are 7 things to know about getting a MAMMOGRAM.

1. What is a mammogram?--it's an x-ray of the breast that is used to detect changes in the breast. 
2. Find a center that specializes in mammograms.  The US Food and Drug Administration certifies facilities that meet the high standards of quality and safety.  Don't be afraid to ask to see the FDA certificate.  Once you find a facility, stick with the place.  It will make it easier for doctors to obtain and examine your previous images.  If you do change facilities, make sure to have your old images sent to the new facility
3. Schedule your mammogram about a week after your menstral period.  That way your breasts won't be as tender or swollen and you will not have as much discomfort during the exam.
4. What do I wear?  Wear a 2-piece outfit because you have to remove your top and bra (if you are wearing one).  Do not wear deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion, or ointment on or around your chest on the day of your mammogram.  The residue from those items can appear as white spots on the x-ray.
5. How long does this take?  The actual procedure takes about 20 minutes.  The breasts are compressed (okay, smashed) between to plastic plates for a few seconds (while you hold your breath) while the x-ray is taken.  They take several x-rays of various views.  The flatter the breast are, the clearer the view.
6. When will I know the results?  With today's technology, I have had my results back within 24 hours.  If you have not received your results within 30 days, call and ask about them.  Usually if something suspicious appears on your x-ray you will be contacted within a week.  "Suspicious" does not mean cancer, but more than likely more images will need to be taken to make a determination about additional procedures.
7. How do I pay for this?  Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicare and almost all private insurance plans now cover yearly mammograms, with no co-pay or out-of-pocket expenses.  For uninsured or low-income women, free or low-cost programs are available.  You can contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 and find a program near you.

     According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year.  The Susan G. Komen website states that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women between the age of 20-59 years of age.  Let's work on getting the word out about breast cancer.  Be aware, help make others aware, and stay on top of your healthy check-ups family. 

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