Know Before You Lose | Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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"Mommy, what are these two lumps on your chest?"

"These are breasts, dear and one day you are going to get a pair yourself!"

"Why does Daddy not have them?"

"Well, he’s a guy and he does have them. Just that they are alot smaller!"

"Then why does Aunt Maz not have them?"

At that point, I was stumped. How do you tell your four year old daughter that her Aunt’s got Breast Cancer thus a mastectomy. But more importantly, how do you tell your child that she have the risk of removing these yet to be formed breasts of her because of the same cause too?

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Breast Cancer A type of cancer which affects 1 in every 8 women. With 40,000 in the U.S. expected to die this year from it, Breast Cancer definitely should not be taken lightly. 

Of the percentage of people who get breast cancer, 15% of women have a family history of breast cancer and over 85% of woman do not have a family history of breast cancer.

This cancerous tumour does not age discriminate. That means a woman who is 23 years old have the same risk of getting breast cancer as a woman who is 55 years old. Of course age equality is not the only factor. Gender equality is also another factor. 

Males can get breast cancer too. Shocked? Well the fact is, as long as you have lobules - glands which produced milk in the right hormonal conditions, puts you at risk of having breast cancer. Without said, the risk for men having breast cancer is a lot lower than in women.

Source What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

• Lump near the breast or underarm area or on breast
• Nipple turn slightly inwards or inverted
• Clear or Blood discharge from from nipples.

Read a more detailed version here How does one prevent themselves from getting breast cancer?

• Exercise
• For women above 40, it’s advisable to go for an annually breast screening if you do not have any breast cancer symptoms. You can read more on our local breast screening Here.
• Practise monthly self breast examination -

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Check out the alternative steps here.

What lifestyles can increase and decrease the risks of breast cancer?

• Having Children

Women who have no children or have their first child after 30 have a higher breast cancer risk. 

• Smoking

So far, studies have found that being a smoker does not have any link to having breast cancer. 

• Drinking Alcohol

Studies have shown, ↑ Alcohol = ↑ Breast Cancer Risk

• Being overweight 
  

Being overweight after menopause does increase breast cancer risk

• Night work ����

So far, studies suggested that women who work at night may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This is a very recent study thus it’s still quit uncertain.

• Antiperspirants, Bras, Induced abortion, Breast implants, Bigger Breasts (Genetic)

Regardless of what the myths are, these factors DOES NOT increase the risk in breast cancer.  You can read the detailed list here. At the same time, check out the 5 common myths on breast cancer by dailyvanity here. ♬♪♩♭♪♪♩♭♬♪♩♭♩ Now that you know the general idea on breast cancer and you have decided to support the cause. BUT you have no idea how. Should you go out and by stuff with a pink ribbon on it? or should you donate directly to the organisation? Believe it or not, not everything with a pink ribbon could be trusted. Some companies sell products which have ingredients that increases the risk to breast cancer but are also promoting the same products as their “Pink Ribbon products”.  While others just claim to have these donations go to a breast cancer research program but it actually go in their pockets.  All these shenanigans are also known as Pinkwashes.They are basically out there to earn your money, while giving none to the breast cancer research program.  So which are the trust foundations you could donate to with an ease of mind?  For Local Donations: Breast Cancer Foundations For Overseas Donations you can choose between the 5 foundations listed in the article here. Source

"Well my child, that’s cause Aunt Maz have gone through a very difficult battle which caused her to choose between her breasts or her life. It was a very difficult decision for her. She loved her breasts very much. They made her feel like a lady. However in the end when she thought about how much we would miss her if she goes, she chose us instead. And one day my dear, you might have to fight that battle too. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s going to be hard but we are here to support you throughout and you have to choose us. No matter what."