Parish Nursing Wellness Committee News

Breast Cancer

 

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women other than skin cancer and the second leading cause of death in women next to lung cancer. One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Men can develop breast cancer but women are 200 times more likely to develop it.

Risk factors for developing breast cancer include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Gender and age. These two are the most significant risk factors of all. 
  2. First degree relative with breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter) 
  3. Previous History of breast cancer increases the risk of a second occurrence of breast cancer. 
  4. Women who started their menstrual periods before the age of 12 
  5. Women who had a late menopause (after 55) 
  6. First pregnancy after the age of 30. 
  7. High fat diet 
  8. Elevated alcohol consumption 
  9. Cigarette smoking, stress and caffeine consumption DO NOT SEEM TO BE A RISK FACTORS.

If you have any of the above symptoms please consult your medical professional as soon as possible.

IF you wish to be a part of the cure, please remember to do self breast examinations once a month and to have your mammogram once a year as recommended by the American Cancer Society.

If you would like to have more information please contact:
Becky Clark, Deborah Wood, Sandra Brewster, Beverly Burts, Leigh Simpson, Mary Mismas, Mary Simpson, or Darlene Curtis for pamphlets or other information on breast cancer.