October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we reflect on the impact of this disease and the importance of early detection and prevention. For me, breast cancer awareness isn’t just a campaign—it’s personal. My mother is a breast cancer survivor who underwent a mastectomy and came out stronger on the other side. Watching her battle the disease and ultimately triumph has shaped my perspective on the significance of education, awareness, and vigilance when it comes to breast cancer.

My Mother’s Journey: A Story of Strength

When my mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer, our world turned upside down. The fear of the unknown gripped us all. But through the support of healthcare professionals and her own immense courage, she faced her battle head-on. She underwent a mastectomy—a surgery to remove one or both breasts—and after a long journey of recovery, I’m proud to say she is now perfectly fine.

Her experience taught me the value of catching the disease early and being educated about its warning signs. It also underscored how important it is to stay proactive about health. Her survival, to a large extent, was thanks to early detection, and it’s something I advocate for today.

What’s New in Breast Cancer Awareness?

Recent advancements in breast cancer awareness focus on both prevention and improved treatments. Here are a few important updates:

1. Precision Medicine: Personalized treatment options are becoming increasingly available. Genetic profiling of tumors now allows doctors to tailor treatments based on individual characteristics of the cancer, improving outcomes. Understanding whether you carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations is vital in assessing your risk for breast cancer.
2. Improved Screening Techniques: Advances in 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) provide clearer images, reducing false positives and improving early detection, especially in women with dense breast tissue. MRI and ultrasound screenings are now commonly used alongside mammograms for more accurate diagnosis.
3. Risk Reduction with Hormonal Therapy: New evidence suggests that hormonal therapies like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in women with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers.
4. Emphasis on Lifestyle Changes: The latest research underscores the role of diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight in reducing cancer risk. Awareness campaigns increasingly focus on the link between obesity and cancer, as well as the protective effects of physical activity.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Breast cancer can present itself in various ways. Some of the most common warning signs include:

• A lump in the breast or underarm
• Changes in breast shape or size
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk
• Pain in the breast or nipple
• Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

It’s essential to be familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and to notice any changes that might seem abnormal. If you spot any of these signs, don’t panic—but do seek medical advice immediately.

Self-Palpation: Be Your Own Advocate

Self-examination is still an essential component of breast cancer awareness. Performing regular self-checks enables you to notice any unusual changes in your breasts early on. Here’s how to perform a breast self-exam:

1. In Front of a Mirror: Visually inspect your breasts for changes in size, shape, or appearance.
2. Raise arms and check your breasts: Visually inspect your breasts for changes in size, shape, or appearance. Raise your arms and look for skin dimpling or nipple changes.
3. Check for breast fluid: Feel for any fluid or discharge from one or both nipples, it could be watery, milky, yellow discharge or blood.
4. Lying Down: When lying on your back, feel each breast using a firm touch with finger pads in circular motion, covering the entire breast area, from collarbone to abdomen, and side to side.
5. Standing or sitting: Most women find it easy to palpate a lump while having a shower as water helps the finger to slide easily. Use the same motion to check for lump in standing or sitting.

Routine Blood Tests: Staying Ahead of the Curve

Although mammograms and physical exams are essential, incorporating certain blood tests into your routine screenings can help monitor overall health and provide potential early warning signs of cancer. Here are a few to consider:

• CA 15-3 and CA 27.29: These are markers that can indicate the presence of breast cancer, although they are primarily used to monitor treatment effectiveness in diagnosed cases.
• BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genetic Testing: If you have a family history of breast cancer, these tests can identify gene mutations that elevate your risk for breast and ovarian cancers.
• Vitamin D Levels: Recent studies have linked low vitamin D levels with an increased risk of breast cancer. Regular testing and maintaining adequate levels can be part of a broader cancer prevention strategy.
• CRP (C-Reactive Protein): While it is a general marker for inflammation, higher levels of CRP have been associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including breast cancer.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Though not specific to cancer, abnormalities in your blood count can indicate underlying health issues, some of which may relate to cancer.

How Exercise Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Exercise is a powerful tool in cancer prevention, and recent evidence supports its role in reducing the risk of breast cancer and other cancers. Here’s how exercise helps keep cancer at bay:

1. Hormonal Balance: Regular physical activity helps regulate hormones, including estrogen, which can play a role in the development of breast cancer. Lowering estrogen levels through exercise is particularly beneficial for reducing breast cancer risk.
2. Improved Immune Function: Exercise boosts the immune system, helping it better identify and destroy abnormal cells before they develop into cancer.
3. Weight Management: Obesity is a significant risk factor for many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing excess body fat that can produce cancer-promoting hormones.
4. Reduced Inflammation: Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer development. Regular exercise lowers inflammation markers in the body, potentially reducing cancer risk.
5. Enhanced Digestion and Elimination: Exercise speeds up digestion, which helps the body process and eliminate toxins more effectively. This can reduce exposure to carcinogens in the digestive system, lowering the risk of cancers such as colorectal cancer.

Recommended Exercise Guidelines

According to the American Cancer Society and other major health organizations, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. This could include activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or running. Strength training exercises, which build muscle, should be incorporated at least twice a week for optimal health benefits.

Stay Proactive and Alert

Breast cancer is a battle no one should face unprepared. My mother’s journey taught me that education and early detection save lives. If you have a family history of breast cancer, consider genetic counseling and regular screenings. Even if you don’t have a history, regular mammograms and self-examinations are crucial for every woman.

Take charge of your health, listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if something feels off. Breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when detected early, and through awareness, education, and routine screenings, we can reduce its impact and save lives.

Stay informed, stay alert, and always prioritize your health.