October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that means that it’s time for everyone around the globe, particularly us ladies, to give ourselves some essential tender loving care (TLC). But we’re not talking about a spa day with your girlfriends, what we’re referring to is some very specific TLC for your breasts.
Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes. The reality is that someone you know – be it a friend, colleague, loved one, or yourself – will sadly be directly affected by breast cancer, with approximately one in seven women in the UK developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
Do we know what causes breast cancer? There is no simple answer to that question. Honestly, there are a variety of factors that can make you more, or less, susceptible. These can include gender, age, family history, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
But do we have a good weapon against breast cancer? Absolutely! Early diagnosis is key to improving the prognosis. Therefore, you may be wondering what you can do to give your breasts the TLC they need?
Well, it’s actually as simple as TLC:
TOUCH: Can you feel anything unusual?
LOOK: Can you see any changes? Does anything look different?
CHECK: If you notice any changes, get them checked out with you GP
However, TLC once a year is not enough; we need to make sure that we give ourselves the love and care all year round. It only takes a few minutes and could potentially save your life.
Forgotten fact: Many people are unaware that men can develop breast cancer because they don’t consider men to have breasts. Remember – both women and men have breast tissue!
Although it’s true that breast cancer mostly affects women (~99%), it’s important to remember that men can also be diagnosed with this disease. Breast cancer may be a rare occurrence in the male population (~1%), but it is does happen.
So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s all take a cue from one of our favourite girl groups from the 90s: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls”, and instead, give yourself some life-saving TLC today.
References:
- Breast Cancer Now: Facts and statistics 2021. Available at: https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/media/facts-statistics Accessed October 2021.
- Breast Cancer UK: About breast cancer: Facts and figures. Available at: https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/about-breast-cancer/facts-figures-and-qas/facts-and-figures/ Accessed October 2021.
- Breast Cancer UK: About breast cancer: Are you susceptible? Available at: https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/about-breast-cancer/are-you-susceptible/ Accessed October 2021.
- Cancer Research UK: Finding breast cancer early. Available at: https://about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/getting-diagnosed/finding-breast-cancer-early Accessed October 2021.
- Breast Cancer Now: Learn the signs of breast cancer. Available at: https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/check-your-breasts/learn-signs-breast-cancer Accessed October 2021.
- Cancer Research UK: Breast cancer in men. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/stages-types-grades/types/male-breast-cancer Accessed October 2021.
