A Touch Of Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness
We all know somebody who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, may it be a grandmother, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, niece or friend. This month is breast cancer awareness month and as we all sit up to attention the information rings true, learn to know your body, what is normal and that early detection can save lives.
Hermanus is awash with shades of pink, this initiative called Pink Tree’s For Pauline is to create awareness and raise funds for those afflicted with cancer and towards training of social workers, transport, supplying wigs and prosthetics, accommodation during treatment and home nursing.
As ShowMe Hermanus’s Offices are only filled with women we decided to hop to and provide you with a basic run through of what breast cancer is, causes, treatment, self examination, myths and beautiful messages from Hermanus ladies, all offering words of motivation and encouragement for anybody that has been effected by the disease.
Let us get started…
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a group of cancer cells that starts in the cells of the breast.
What causes breast cancer?
Many people that develop breast cancer will not be able to pinpoint the direct cause of the cancer forming in the breast. Scientists have however learnt contributing factors that may point to a stronger likelihood for cancer.
Women that have certain risk factors are more likely to develop cancer than others. Factors such as smoking can be avoided but a family history of breast cancer can’t. Having a risk factor does not mean that a you will get breast cancer. Many women who have risk factors never develop breast cancer.
Risk Factors:
- Age – Two out of three women are diagnosed with cancer after 55 years old.
- Gender – Breast cancer occurs 100 times more in women than in men.
- Race – Breast cancer is detected more in Caucasian women than any other race in the world.
- Family history – If your mother, sister or child has been diagnosed with either ovarian or breast cancer you have a high risk, that risk increases if they where diagnosed before the age of 50.
- Personal health history – If you have had cancer in the one breast you have a higher chance of developing cancer in the other breast.
- Early menstruation – Under the age of 12
- Late menopause – Over 55 years old.
- Dense breast tissue – Having dense breast tissue makes it harder to detect lumps, make sure to ask your doctor about this.
- Genome Changes – Mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase the risk and can be determined by doing a genetics test.
Factors you can change:
- Lack of physical activity – Get up off the couch and start moving
- Bad diet – Leave the saturated fat behind and stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Being overweight/obese – Out with the old and in with the new, time to start your new lifestyle plan now!
- Drinking alcohol – Limit your intake, the more you drink the higher your risk becomes.
- Combined hormone replacement therapy – Taking combined hormone replacement therapy that is sometimes prescribed for menopause, can increase your risk for breast cancer and increases the risk that the cancer will be detected at a more advanced stage.
Myths – These do not cause cancer:
- Microwaves
- Cellphones
- Deodorant
- Caffeine
- Contact with somebody who has cancer
- Underwire bra’s
- Surgical implants
- Mammograms
Treatment:
Surgery – The most common form is to remove the tumour and nearby margins, surgical options might be to perform a mastectomy or double mastectomy.
Chemotherapy – This is a combination of medication to shrink, slow or destroy the mass.
Radiation therapy – This uses high energy rays to kill the cancer. It affects only the nearby skin and cells of the body that require treatment.
Hormone therapy – If the cancer cells have hormone receptors you might be prescribed hormone therapy medication such as blockers or inhibitors. These drugs help to eliminate the cancer cells by cutting off their supply of hormones.
Targeted therapy – This uses a combination of medication and therapies that block the growth of the cells in specific manners, often reducing the side effects.
Messages from local ladies:
Anonymous says: “Life’s greatest accomplishments are those that at first seem impossible!”
Tash Corby says: “For those that fear, we shall not! We shall be but a pillar of strength in the darkest hour. When all seems lost, look to the light…look to the light in your daughters, mothers or friends eyes, there you will find the strength to overcome this battle. It is there that you will see what you are fighting for, because in their eyes what reflects is you. Giving up is not an option. our life, no matter the odds is worth fighting for.”
Agnes Wedge says: “Today is a new day, a new sun rises for me, everything lives, I will cherish each day and always remain full of hope…”
Angela Heuer Emmerson says: “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark – Rabindranath Tagore”
Breast Self Exam:
Think Pink!
Source: National Breast Cancer, Bright Pink