
Think in pink – World Breast Cancer Day
Breast cancer currently affects one million women in the world and even, recently, some men. It is influenced by many factors, from genetics to lifestyle to environmental causes.
Therefore, it is practically impossible to prevent it, and we need to pay attention to any possible symptoms.
It has been proven that the risk of suffering breast cancer drops significantly if we exercise regularly (at least 4 hours a week), avoiding overweight and obesity after menopause and the regular consumption of alcohol.
And, if there is a family history of breast cancer, it is advisable that we receive genetic counseling. Firstly, a family history is developed in order to learn about the number of family members affected, the age in which they were diagnosed a malignant tumor and the degree of consanguinity. This way, we can find out if someone is a carrier of mutations in any genes, such as BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, related to breast, ovarian or other types of cancer.
However, the truth is that women do not go for mammographies regularly before they are 40, and almost none self-examine their breasts before it is too late.
Therefore, from El Naturalista, we want to encourage you to do it once a month; it will only take you 10 minutes.
We should normally do this seven days before or after the beginning of the period, and we must pay attention to any possible changes that may have happened from month to month. Above all, pay attention to:
1. Breast asymmetry
2. Nipple turning inwards
3. Protuberance
4. Growing vein
5. Indentation
6. Skin erosion
7. Dimples in the skin
8. Unknown fluid
9. Orange skin
10. Hardening of the breasts
11. Redness
12. Internal lumps
And, of course, if we find or think we find any of these symptoms, we should go the health center.
We will leave you with this video that shows in further detail how to carry out a self-examination.