Pink October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. In Poland it accounts for about 23% of all cases and is responsible for about 14% of malignant deaths in women. Every day over 50 Polish women learn about this disease, and 15 die. Every year about 5000 women die in our country – a small town of women is disappearing from the map of Poland! Our mothers, grandmothers and daughters. The prognoses for the coming years are not optimistic – it is estimated that the mortality rate will continue to rise.

We can not prevent the development of breast cancer, but we can reduce the chance of contracting the disease by avoiding risk factors such as: excessive drinking, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, hormonal contraception, lack of physical activity, smoking, or late pregnancy.
According to the World Health Organization, 30-50% of cancers can be avoided by following guidelines such as: regular physical activity, a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, keeping the environment we live in clean, limiting alcohol consumption and smoking.

Breast self-examination

Self-examination consists of 2 stages:

1. Viewing to look for pathological changes in the skin of the breast such as:

• leakage of fluid from the nipple,
• tightening of the nipple or breast skin
• ulceration
• orange peel sign
• localized redness not caused by trauma
• alarming growth of one breast in a short period of time.

2. Palpation (palpation): involves pressing the breasts against the ribs with the palm of the hand in order to detect lumps, bumps or other pathological changes in the breasts.
The test is performed once a month, one week after your period ends. If the woman does not menstruate, it is recommended to choose one specific day of the month (e.g. payday)

In the event that you pick out any lesion, do not panic, but consult your gynecologist. He will guide you in further diagnostics of the change. Younger women or pregnant women usually undergo breast ultrasound, women over 40 usually undergo mammography.

Take care of yourself! Breast self-examination conducted systematically can save your life!