Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Blue Door Neighborhood Center. Thanks for stopping by. If this is your first time here. And my name is Ashley, and I'm one of the health educators here. And I'll be talking about breast cancer awareness.
So what is breast cancer? In simple terms, Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. Breast cancer cells usually form a tumor that can be often seen on x ray or felt as a lump.
When cancer cells enter the blood or lymph system or carries other parts of the body, breast cancer can spread. And also here is a fact, except for skin cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States.
Death from breast cancer have declined over time, but remain the second leading cause of cancer among women overall. And the leading cause of cancer among black and Hispanic women. Here's another fact. Men can get breast cancer, too. However, research shows breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women.
Research done by the Center for Disease Control CDC found that since 2007, breast cancer death rates have been consistent with women younger than 50, but have continued to decrease in women over the age of 50. These decreases are thought to be because of a rise in awareness, prevention screenings and proper treatment.
At this point, you may be wondering how is breast cancer detected? Well, breast cancer can be detected by doing a self-examination, which is the breast and armpits and checking it for any lumps. Another way to detect breast cancer can be done by engaging in breast cancer screenings, which involves checking a woman's breast for any cancer before there
are any signs of the disease. Having a mammogram done can also be a way of checking for and detecting for breast cancer, which is an X-ray of a picture of the breast, which doctors can use that mammogram to look at for any early signs of breast cancer.
It is important to mention that your health care provider is the only person who can diagnose you with breast cancer. Here's another fact. Women who are the age of 50 to 74 should have screenings done every two years.
Women in general are encouraged to start screenings as early as age 40 when the benefits and risk of screenings are important to consider. If you're 40 to 49, talk to your health care provider about when to start screenings.
Most health care insurance plans cover the cost of screening mammograms. And if you have a low income and do not have insurance, you may qualify for free, low cost mammograms. Through early detection programs and free community resources. So we have learned what breast cancer is.
some ways to detect it. Now, what are some symptoms you should look for? Well, some symptoms you should look for are new lumps in the breast or armpit, which can be done by a step examination, thickening or swelling parts of the breast irritation or dimpling of breast skin redness, flaky skin and the nipple area, other breast pulling in of
the nipple or pain in a nipple area. Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood. Any change in the size or shape of the breast in general? Pain or discomfort in the breast? It is important to highlight that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not related to cancer.
If you have any symptoms or signs that worry, you talk to your health care professional immediately. When it comes to our health, we have an important role to play. And here are some ways of reducing your risk for breast cancer.
The first thing you should know is know your personal medical history. Next is important for you to know your family history of breast cancer as well. It is also equally important to know your breast cancer destiny which can be done by doing a self-examination of your breast.
And another way is to maintain a healthy weight, especially during menopause and after. Also, maintaining a healthy diet is a way to reduce your risk and engage in physical activity as well. If you drink alcoholic drinks, limit them to no more than one per day.
And if you think it's important for you to stop altogether, stop altogether. If you're taking and have been told to take any hormone replacement medications, birth control pills. Ask your doctor about the risk and benefits and find out what's right for you, if possible, breastfeed your children.
Lastly, the most important of all, attend your wellness checkups annually. Breast cancer is not a death sentence with early detection and proper care. Breast cancer can be cured per research from the CDC. They found that there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors and thrivers in the United States.
This includes women still being treated and women who have completed treatment. Want to learn more about how to start reducing your risk? Well, check out what we have to offer at the Blue Door Neighborhood Center. At no cost to you.
The Blue Door Neighborhood Center offers free health and wellness literacy classes around social determinants of health. low-Impact fitness and nutrition classes, pregnancy programs to promote breast health stress management classes. And we partnered with local and national organizations to increase the awareness, prevention and link folks to free resources within our communities.
Well, this has been fun, and we would love to stay connected with you. Check out our website at BlueDoorCenterIL.com Again, it is BlueDoorCenterIL.com for more videos like this one to keep up and register for our community programing and to see what no cost events we will be hosting in your
communities. We're also on Facebook search for us. @BlueDoorCenterIL again. That is @BlueDoorCenterIL and hit the follow button again. Remember to hit the follow button.
All right. Thanks again for stopping by. And we will see you next time. Until then, be well.
