KNOW YOUR BREASTS. SAVE YOUR LIFE By Chinyere Obinna. O

Imagine sitting in a room full of women, women of varying ages, sizes, color and religious background, each woman touching, squeezing, patting, and kneading on a set of synthetic breasts. Now imagine that you are one of those women, and you are visualizing those breasts as your own. I was one of those women, and this was a part of an exercise in breast health awareness, sponsored by the Maurer Foundation, which I attended last month, propelled by the recent death of a close friend who had succumbed to breast cancer in April, an event that had moved me to write a tribute to her memory.

Here are the facts on breast cancer..........

According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that about 182,460 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2008.
The American Cancer Society estimates that the chance of a woman developing invasive breast cancer at some time in her life is 1 out of 8, or 12%.

Knowing the facts about breast cancer can give you a better perspective on how to prevent it. More facts on breast cancer-

1. The risk of cancer can be avoided if you take the right steps at prevention.
2. Early detection can save your life. When cancer is detected at an early stage, it is easier to fight before it has the chance to invade and spread in your body.
3. You are your first line of defense in breast cancer prevention.
4. Breast self examination can equip you in the fight against the disease. When you make BSE (Breast Self Examination) a regular habit, you will know every nuance of your breast, and when something is different, you will know the difference.
5. Having a lump on your breast doesn't necessarily mean that you have breast cancer.

Here are other facts on breast cancer..........

When it comes to breast cancer prevention, there are certain risk factors that we have no control over. Fortunately, there is also a lot that we have control over. By practicing the things that we can control, we can help to counteract the things that we have no control over.


Here are the things that you have control over.

Diet...... It is true that we are what we eat. In the fight against cancer, certain foods have been known to equip your body in the fight against cancer. These foods, also known as superfoods, are rich in antioxidants that neutralize the free radicals, which wreak havoc on the body, and can eventually lead to some forms of cancers in our bodies if left unchecked. Consuming a diet that is rich in anti-oxidants can help to counteract the effects of those free radicals in our body. It is recommended that you consume about 7-8 servings daily from antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. How do you identify these foods? One way to identify antioxidant rich foods is through their colors. Fruits and vegetables that are vibrant in color are filled with antioxidant power. Some antioxidant foods are:
1. Broccoli sprouts (rich in phytochemicals
2.Berries (rich in polyphenols)
3. Black and green teas. These are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants called catechins and EECG, which, in addition to inhibiting the formation of cancer cells, also are also effective at killing cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Green teas are particularly potent weapons against free radicals.
4. Tomatoes (rich in lycopene)
5. Soybeans and soybean products like tofu, which contain is isoflavones.
Other superrich foods include carrots, pumpkins, squash and other orange fruits, which are potent sources of carotene, as well as garlic, pineapple, and apples. Some of these foods also have the added benefit of being hearth healthy, in addition to keeping your skin young and supple.

High fat diet…… On the flip side of the coin, foods that are high in fats, like saturated fats, as well as trans fats, are the culprits, in not only keeping us at an unhealthy weight, but also compromising our heart health. These foods have an oxidative effect that can actually increase your risk of developing many forms of cancer.


Weight……Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between your weight and your risk of developing various forms of cancer- another benefit of eating right.

Exercise. Physical activity plays a major role in not only keeping the body fit and trim, it can also reduce your risks of various forms of cancer.

Smoking. Studies after studies have proven that smoking can increase your chances of succumbing to various forms of cancer.

Alcohol Intake. Studies have shown that drinking alcoholic beverages can increase your risk of developing cancer. It is suggested that you limit your alcohol intake to less than once per day or not at all.

Here are the things that you may have no control over.

Your family history.
According to studies, a family history of breast cancer has a tendency to predispose one to the risk of eventually developing cancer, but the good news is that you may be able to counteract this risk factor by taking action through good nutrition, being proactive in you health, and keeping your doctor abreast of any change that you notice in your breast.

Advancing age.
The chances of developing breast cancer increases with advancing age. So does exposure to certain hormones, including estrogen, which is produced by the body. Post menopausal women, who are taking hormone replacement therapy are strongly advised to work closely with their doctors and to discuss their risk factors.

Other risk factors that studies have linked to cancer include, exposure to chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, exposure to radiations that can occur from excessive use of x-ray machines, excessive use of microwaves, and exposure to contaminated water.


Other things that you can do to fight breast cancer.

BSE. Breast Self Exam.

This is one of the most important components of cancer prevention. When you establish a routine of examining your breasts on a regular basis, you gain an intimate familiarity with the character of your breasts, and when you detect any changes, it is time to contact your doctor.

Clinical Breast Exam. This is the exam performed by your doctor. You should report any changes in your breast to your doctor immediately. Some of these changes include, lumps, dimpling, inverted nipples, discharge from your nipples.

Mammogram.

It is recommended that every woman over the age of 40 should get a yearly mammogram. This can also be augmented with a breast sonogram as part of the diagnosis process.


Surprising fact about breast cancer - Men can get breast cancer too. It is estimated that about 1,700 men per year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

It is very important that you work very closely with your doctor to protect yourself against the risk of breast cancer. And most of all, take care of yourself.

Note. This column does not constitute absolute medical advise. For more comprehensive health advise, please always consult your doctor.