October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in honor of it we will be sharing some facts and advice on early detection once a week with you guys.
1. A lot of people talk about preventing breast cancer, but the correct term is risk reduction.
"We don't really know how to prevent breast cancer. We know how to reduce people's risks," said Judith Swasey, a nurse practitioner at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's cancer hospital. The basics: Don't smoke, exercise a lot, watch your diet and get annual screenings.
2. Early detection.
There has been lots of controversy in recent years over the usefulness of annual mammograms for some women. The American Cancer Society and many breast cancer centers continue to recommend annual mammograms starting at 40. The cancer society also recommends clinical breast exams by physicians annually, beginning at the same age as mammograms.
For those at high risk for breast cancer because of family history, annual screening should begin before age 40. For example, if you have a sister who developed breast cancer at 45, the recommendation is to start mammograms at 35. Awareness and screening have led to more early detection. Don't forget to do self-checks once a month as well, if you are unsure on how to self-check yourself
here are some step by step instructions.
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As you may know, Amanda Sterett also has a Breast Cancer Collection. Each piece of this collection is named in honor of a woman that has battled this disease. Amanda donates 20% of proceeds to breast cancer awareness and research. We will share a few pieces with you each week along with the stories of the women that the pieces are named for.
This earring is named in honor of Ann Grant Anthony. She battled breast cancer for 5 years before she passed away in March of 2009.
This earring is in honor of Bev Sorenson, who was diagnosed in 2009 and is currently undergoing treatment.
This necklace is in honor of Deborah Stephens who was diagnosed October of 2009 and is currently undergoing treatment.
