Protect all of Your ASSETS
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, helping raise awareness about early screening for a cancer that affects millions of people world-wide every year. Similar to colon cancer, breast cancer can be very treatable when caught early enough.
When it comes to breast and colon cancer – Prevention really is the best medicine.
This October, schedule screenings for both your tatas and tooshie, and encourage the same for those you love!
I recently went in for my very first mammogram after celebrating my fortieth birthday. Spoiler alert: Smashing your breast into the form of a flattened pancake can indeed be an uncomfortable process! The same holds true for that infamous colonoscopy procedure. Neither is considered to be a pleasant experience.
What I know for sure (through first hand experience) is that grueling cancer treatment is far worse than any temporary discomfort you may experience during preventative cancer screening measures. Your wellness is too important to wait!
I thought I would use breast cancer awareness month to feature some important updates around both breast cancer and colon cancer, so you’ll be informed and equipped with the knowledge you need to fight back against these illnesses.
Breast Cancer and Mammograms
A recent study confirmed that mammograms have a direct correlation to breast cancer survival rates. Researchers said women who skip even one scheduled mammography screening before a breast cancer diagnosis face a significantly higher risk of dying from the cancer. Regular screening can save your life.
BREAST CANCER FACTS:
- 1 in 8 U.S. women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, and 1 in 3 of those cases will become metastatic.
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For women at average risk of breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends that those 40 to 44 years of age have the option to begin annual mammography; those 45 to 54 undergo annual mammography; and those 55 years of age and older transition to biennial mammography or continue annual mammography.
- For some women at high risk of breast cancer, annual breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to accompany mammography, typically starting at age 30.
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African American Women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than Caucasian women.
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Male breast cancer is rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and only about 2% will metastasize.
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The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are sex (being a woman) and age (growing older).
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A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
- About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen because of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations. Less than 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.
Colon Cancer and Colonoscopies
This year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force lowered the recommended age for routine colonoscopies to age 45 due to the alarming rate of colon cancer occurrences in younger people (like me) over the past decade and particularly in African Americans.
COLON CANCER FACTS:
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IT’S THE #2 BIGGEST CANCER KILLER. 1 in 10 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH COLON CANCER in their lifetime. Colon cancer kills more people each year than every other type of cancer except lung cancer. The number one cause of death for people between the ages of 45 and 65 is cancer. And colon cancer is super common.
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IT’S BECOMING A PROBLEM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. Colon cancer is predicted to be the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 by 2030. Diagnosis rates are expected to increase by 90% in people under 35 by 2030. Unfortunately, even though risks are rising quickly, most people under 45 don’t qualify for screening unless they already have cancer symptoms or family history. If you see blood in your poop, call your doc ASAP – no matter your age.
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HEALTH DISPARITIES ARE SYSTEMIC AND REAL. People of color tend to receive later-stage diagnoses and lower quality of care. Black Americans get colon cancer about 20% more often than White Americans, and are 35% more likely to die from it. The numbers are also grim for Native Americans.
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SCREENING SAVES LIVES. A polyp can take up to 10 years to become colorectal cancer. Early screenings have reduced colon cancer deaths by 70% since 1970.
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THE GOOD NEWS. Colon Cancer is The Preventable Cancer. There’s one good thing about colon cancer. It’s actually preventable, which can’t be said for most cancers. Despite all these horrible facts, you can prevent colon cancer with a simple and painless screening procedure.
Preventative colonoscopies are a unique procedure, as they can prevent up to 90% of colon cancer cases from even occurring by removing pre-cancerous polyps.
Take time to check both your top and bottom halves this month to protect all of your assets.
(Sources: leadfrombehind.org; ccalliance.org; cancer.org; dana-farber.org; metavivor.org; breastcancer.org)
Erin is the best-selling author of The Mother of all Fights, stage III cancer survivor, wellness coach and mother of four based in Orange County, California. She teaches life changing habits to reclaim control over your health, protect against disease, and set yourself to get and stay well for the long-term. Sign up for one of her popular online courses, receive free weekly tips on her website and check out her Living Well App for healthy habits, goal tracking and motivation.
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