Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Whether you know someone who has battled this disease or you are that someone, it's time to take a moment to think about those who have struggled against and those who have conquered breast cancer.  

Breast cancer is not limited to women.  Men run the risk of developing breast cancer but it is approximately 100 times less common in men than in women.  In fact, the lifetime risk for men developing breast cancer is 1 in 1,000.  According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 2,140 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2011 and approximately 450 men are expected to die this year.

Breast cancer death rates for women are going down.  The chance of a woman developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime is less than 1 in 8; the chance of dying from it are 1 in 35.  According to the ACS, there are approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Whether you are male or female, you should be aware of the risk factors for developing breast cancer.  Some factors have we control over while others, such as genetics, we do not.  Controllable risk factors include:

1. Alcohol
2. Obesity
3. Lack of exercise
4. Hormone replacement therapy after menopause
5. Not having children or having children later in life
6. Use of birth control pills

Uncontrollable risk factors include:

1. Age
2. Gender
3. Family history
4. Genetic predisposition
5. Race
6. Dense breast tissue
7. Breast radiation early in life

Although there is no guaranteed prevention of developing breast cancer, you can reduce your risk by changing the lifestyle factors you have control over such as obesity and lack of exercise.  Take care of your body and it will take care of you.  Talk with your healthcare practitioner to discuss your risks and how you can reduce your risk.  In the meantime, come in to PROMATx Health Club and start reducing your "controllable" risk factors!

Don't forget...the Susan G. Komen-Lexington Race for the Cure 5K is October 15th at 8am in downtown Lexington.  Click here for race registration.