Breast Cancer 101
October 25, 2021
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the world. In fact — and you’ve probably heard this chilling statistic before — 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The good news? Most breast cancer is extremely treatable when caught early. That’s why we’re committed to sharing these helpful self-exam and prevention tips with our audience so you can be armed with the knowledge to spot it and make a plan for what to do if you find something.
SELF EXAMINATION
The goal is to check yourself once a month. Ideally, perform the exam a week after the end of your cycle when your breasts are their least swollen. However, if it’s easier to remember to do it on a specific date each month, go with that tactic! Checking is always better than not checking.
PREVENTION
One of the biggest blocks to self checks is fear. If that sounds like you, remember this: most cancer that’s caught early is very treatable. Download the Keep A Breast app to learn what to do if you find something.
Minimize exposures to carcinogens and hormone disrupters. Visit Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ website for more info on where these exposures come from and how you can make clean product swaps.
Minimize heavily processed foods and try to eat as fresh, local, and organic as possible. If that’s not always accessible, don’t stress — just do your best! Some is always better than none.
Reduce alcohol consumption. Evidence suggests that it’s best not to drink alcohol at all, but sometimes that’s not always possible. After all, we all need to let loose sometimes! Being mindful of when and how much you drink is always a good place to start, and then you can make adjustments based on what you notice about your habits.
IF YOU FIND SOMETHING
Download the Keep A Breast app for a step-by-step guide to what you should do if you feel like you've found something abnormal.