Knowledge is the Key to Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention

October is famous as Breast Cancer Awareness month we see the pink ribbons that remind us of lost loved ones while we join together as a community to support the cause of curing breast cancer. As October winds down we are left with eleven months until the next Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Hunter Family Medical Clinic would like to remind you that prevention and screening are key to staying healthy!

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the breast. Contrary to popular belief, breast cancer occurs in both males and females, although male contraction of breast cancer is a rare occurrence.

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The two most common types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma, the most common, originates in the lining of the milk ducts – narrow tubes which transports milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple. The other type of breast cancer, lobular carcinoma, originates in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast.

The statistics for breast cancer are troubling. According to the American Cancer Society, in the United States there were an estimated 234,580 reported cases of breast cancer – 232,340 of these cases were women and 2,240 cases were men. Tragically, an estimated 40,030 of these cases resulted in death – with 39,620 females and 410 males succumbing to the cancer.

ANGELA SLINDEN – FNP At Hunter Family Medical Clinic, we want to make it easier for busy women to live healthy lives. We offer the comprehensive preventive care and treatment that you need. Some of our services include: Breast care screenings, pap smears, physical exams. Routine and high-risk obstetrical care and counseling. Trouble with sleep Depression. Bladder and urinary issues Education and counseling for your health care needs. Menstrual issues, Menopause and post-menopause care.

There are ways that you can reduce your risk of contracting breast cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, breast cancer prevention begins with healthy habits – namely lifestyle changes. The following are ways that you can lower your risk:

– Limit alcohol. Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day or abstaining from alcohol consumption altogether reduces the risk of breast cancer.

– Don’t smoke. In addition to being one of the best things you can do for your overall health, evidence and research continues show a correlation between smoking and breast cancer risk.

– Get exercise. Physical activity, such as aerobic and strength training, assists in the effort to maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight reduces the risk of breast cancer.

– Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity and being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer. Control your weight by getting a good amount of exercise – at least two hours of aerobic exercise (or one hour of intense aerobics) and strength training twice a week is recommended.

– Limit hormone therapy. Research suggests that being on a regimen of hormone therapy for more than three to five years can increase the risk of breast cancer. If you are currently receiving hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause, talk to your doctor about alternative, non-hormonal options.

– Eat healthy. While the verdict is still out on the effects of a healthy diet in preventing breast cancer, it may lower the risk of other types of cancer. Also, a eating healthy greatly helps with maintaining a healthy weight – an important element in reducing breast cancer risk.

Our staff at Hunter Family Medical Clinic assists in the nationwide effort to increase awareness of the disease, including the importance of understanding, preventing, diagnosing, treating, and ultimately curing breast cancer.

Hunter Family Medical Clinic is proud to offer women’s healthcare – including breast cancer screening and education. For more information, please contact our clinic at 307-382-7414 or visit us online at www.hunterfamilymedical.com.

Stay Healthy!