This morning, when my iGoogle page loaded, I saw a headline that caught my eye.
Giuliana Rancic revealed today that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
As many of you already know, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple years ago (my great aunt also passed away from the disease) and breast cancer awareness and research is very important to me.
One thing Giuliana’s diagnosis reiterated to me was that breast cancer happens to women of all ages. Giuliana is 37 years old and was only diagnosed because a doctor said she needed a mammogram before going though with her third round of in vitro fertilization. She wasn’t even planning on getting her first mammogram until she was 40 (the recommended age).
Giuliana will now undergo surgery and radiation and is expected to be fine, but her diagnosis (and the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month) prompted me to feel the need to spread more awareness about breast cancer through this blog and share some statistics with you guys.
- About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer
- A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer
- About 70 – 80 percent of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer
- Men can be diagnosed with breast cancer as well and account for 1 percent of all diagnoses
(All statistics are from BreastCancer.org.)
So how can you lower your risk?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Get screened for breast cancer regularly. By getting the necessary exams, you can increase your chances of finding out if you have breast cancer before it reaches a later stage.
- Control your weight and exercise.
- Know your family history of breast cancer.
- Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Some women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms of menopause. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT and find out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
And you’re never too young to start checking yourself for lumps! My mom found a lump in her breast only from doing a self breast exam and her cancer had already significantly developed from the time she had her annual mammogram a few months prior.
Here is a link to an article detailing how to preform a breast self exam.
Question of the Afternoon
- Has breast cancer affected you or someone close to you?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I’ve lost a number of close friends and family members to this horrible disease. Not only is it bad for what it does to the sufferer, but also for how families are often torn apart by its impact. What a powerful post of yours. I’m linking this to my website. For years, I’ve been wondering how to “give back” and ways I can either aid by giving to research and / or opening charities or just doing SOMETHING to show I support survivors and familes dealing with this. Still trying to figure it out, but maybe I should look into this Susan Komen marathon thing? Obviously, I need to do more than just wear the “NFL Pink” stuff during October!
all of the race for the cure events and the 3-day walk are amazing ways to get involved!
I go on Monday for my very first Mammogram. Although nervous I am glad to be getting it done. I am 36 years old and I had a long conversation with my GYN about why I need to get before the age of 40. This is going to be a baseline. Something to start from. Although there is no history of Breast Cancer on either side of the family for generations it doesn’t hurt to take that first step.
I know it has personally touched many reading this post, and I’m so glad that there is so much awareness now. First, I’m glad that your mom is doing well! That’s really good news.
I was diagnosed last December at the age of 26. I’m doing well today, but it’s definitely been a traumatic experience. I’m still on the mend and I go back next month for another mammogram. Hopefully all is clear!
As I was reading, I see that many people know someone that is going through treatment. Many people ask what they can do to help and I saw where someone mentioned participating in a walk. (Which is great!) But also, think about how you can personally help someone that you know. Many ways that people helped me, that I found the most encouraging were cards, foot rubs, food, prayers, etc. From personal experience, I would have loved some help cleaning, or someone to just read to me when I couldn’t really do much else.
In addition to helping research, think about how you can personally touch someone’s life. I promise, it will mean more, than simply seeing someone wear pink. =)
Thanks for this topic!
Hi Milane so true. It is really à trying experience. I’ve been diagnosed @ 27 in november currently undergoing radiaton then chemo but i’m trusting Hod while i stay positive. Could you drop me à mail @ jalee_spice@yahoo.com I’m sure you can encourage me through this. My heart goes out to all my pink sisters