Four Women – Four Stories – One Amazing Message

 

            If you see more pink than usual this month it’s because October is breast cancer awareness month and pink is the color for that support. Awareness is essential because breast cancer is the most common cancer in women – and it strikes young and old alike. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance for survival. “We are detecting it so much earlier due to the advancements in technology and that’s the reason why about 95 percent of breast cancer patients survive it,” says Jeri Millard, who runs “In the Pink,” a new boutique for women living with cancer. It is located at 522 North Third St., Jacksonville, Beach. www.jaxinthepink.com.

            “In the United States this year, more than 200,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 people will die from the disease,” says Millard, who also serves as the chair of the Beaches Making Strides Against Breast Cancer committee. “As we continue to educate women and young girls about the disease, this number will decrease due to knowledge, which in turn leads to early detection.”

From prevention and detection to treatment and reconstruction, the latest data and technological advancements bring more hope to patients affected by breast cancer

Sometimes the simple things make the biggest difference – even in breast cancer prevention.

            Now, recent data reinforces the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in reducing the risk of breast cancer development, explains Edith A. Perez, M.D., medical oncologist and director of the Mayo Center’s Breast Clinic. Moreover, the latest studies reveal that regular exercise and a healthy weight also lower the risk of cancer recurrence.

            “We need to concentrate more on lifestyle issues,” Dr. Perez says. “It needs to be part of our day-to-day recommendations for patients.”

            Though the chemical explanation for the connection to breast cancer prevention is still somewhat elusive, Dr. Perez notes that changes in insulin resistance and estrogen levels resulting from physical activity and proper caloric intake may affect the relationship.

 

What do you think about when you think of October? Haunted houses, costumes, orange and black, trick or treat – it’s Halloween! But for thousands diagnosed with breast cancer, October is breast cancer month and – the Power of Pink. This year alone 182,460 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,480 will die. Even men will be affected: this isn’t a disease that discriminates by sex - 990 men will develop breast cancer and 450 will die. During October, and all year long, the color pink should be on everyone’s mind as representing the need to find a cure for breast cancer, the silent killer.

Q: I occasionally experience pain in my breasts. Do I need to be worried about breast cancer?
A: It depends on how old you are and what type of pain you are experiencing. Breast pain is often called “mastalgia” and varies in severity and frequency. Mastalgia is the result of three different conditions; the most frequent type is cyclical pain, related to the menstrual cycle. The other two conditions are non-cyclical.

When a woman and her family are faced with decisions after an initial diagnosis of breast cancer, it makes sense to know all the facts. Yet, many patients make decisions based on incomplete knowledge. That’s something pathologist and breast cancer educator and patient advocate Shahla Masood, M.D., has been working to change throughout her entire medical career.