Dockside Pleasuressupports the Pink Ribbon for breast cancer awareness!
Breast Cancer Facts:
- By the end of the decade, approximately 1.8 million women and 12,000 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
- Approximately 44,000 women and 400 men will die of this disease each year.
- Breast cancer is the leading cancer site among American women and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
- Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cancer cases in women.
- When breast cancer is confined to the breast the five year survival rate is over 95%.
Three Steps That Can Save Your Life!
- Monthly breast self-exam beginning by age 20. Become familiar with the look and feel of your breasts. If any change occurs--have a clinical breast examination by a trained medical professional.
- Clinical breast examination by a medical professional at least every 3 years beginning at age 20, and annually after 40.
- Annual screening mammography for women by age 40. Women under 40 with either a family history of breast cancer or other concerns about their personal risk should consult with a trained medical professional about when to begin mammography.
I'm only 21, I don't need to worry about breast cancer...
Although breast cancer is extremely rare in women under 25, Doctors stresses that the idea of young women doing self breast exams is critical because it's a skill and most lumps are found by women themselves, not at exams.
The woman who does it every month beginning at age 20, becomes skilled with examining her own breasts. The bottom line is, if she does it all the time she's more likely to pick it up when it's smaller because she'll know her breasts...there won't be a long interval between her self breast exam."
Additional Links:
Pink Ribbon Store
About.com Breast Cancer Information
National Cancer Institute