Founded in October 1985, the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM)was a joint partnership between the American Cancer Society and the Imperial Chemical Industry’s pharmaceutical division, which is now a part of AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca now produces several anti-breast cancer drugs. BCAM has always aimed to promote mammography as the primary and most effective weapon against breast cancer.
Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate VP of the Estée Lauder Companies, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993 and established the pink ribbon as its symbol.
Although this is not the first time a ribbon has is introduced as a symbol for breast cancer. Pink ribbons were handed out by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to all the participants during the breast cancer survivors race held in New York in the fall of 1991. Then in 2010, Delta Airlines painted its Boeing in special colors of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Breast Cancer Cases In The US?
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has estimated that in the year 2020, there will be about 42,170 women who will die of breast cancer in the United States. Breast cancer deaths have reduced drastically in the last many years. There has been a 40% drop between 1989 to 2016. It has been noticed that the decline is because of improved medical services, an increase in the level of awareness, and early detection. Breast cancer is most common in women under the age of 45.
How Can We Lower The Risk of Breast Cancer?
You cannot prevent breast cancer, but the best we can do is lower the disease. Those include:
- Always maintain a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Control overuse of alcohol
- Eat a healthy diet
- Breastfeeding upon the birth of your child
- Avoiding smoking
Mammograms can help doctors detect cancer early, as breast cancer often has no symptoms. Hence regular detection can lead to successful treatment. Women between 40 – 44 should begin with annual mammograms. And it is recommended that women between 45-54 should undergo a year mammogram at least once a year. Once you are 55 and above, a mammogram once in two years is acceptable.
Self-awareness is an essential element in discovering breast cancer. Some signs are a lump, change in the breast’s size and shape, swelling or redness, nipple discharge or rash, or skin dimpling. If you see any of these conditions, report to your doctor immediately.
To learn more about Breast Cancer, its symptoms, and treatment, do not hesitate to book an appointment with our doctors at Internal Medicine Diagnostic Center. Call 281-252-8600 to schedule an appointment.