October...Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Just a few months ago, a new friend of mine here in NJ found a lump in her left breast. She went to the doctor immediately who stated that it was just a cyst and nothing to worry about. However, the lump continued to bother her and she just 'didn't feel right' so she went for a second opinion. It turns out that she was in the early stages of Breast Cancer. Although she caught it early, it was rapidly progressing. After several biopsies and blood tests, she learned that she is a carrier of a particular gene mutation which makes her risks even more dangerous. Therefore, she had a double mastectomy just last week.
My friend is happily married and has two young children aged 6 and 5. She is in her early-thirties, lives a healthy lifestyle, there is no history of breast cancer in her family. So this diagnosis came as a complete shock. And everything happened so quickly, from the time she first felt the lump to today was approximately 3 months. WOW.
With this in mind, I am really seeking more information about Breast Cancer and ways to help. It comes at an appropriate time, as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

An estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2008. An estimated 40,480 women will die from breast cancer. It is estimated that 1,990 men will be diagnosed and 450 men will die of breast cancer during 2008.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Includes: FAQ, Fast facts, Statistics, Warning signs, Local events (by state)

History of the Pink Ribbon

Warning signs of Breast Cancer

Famous Breast Cancer Survivors:
Just a few: Christina Applegate, Sheryl Crow, Betty DeGeneres (mother of Ellen DeGeneres), Melissa Etheridge, Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton-John, Sandra Day O'Connor, Nancy Reagan, Carly Simon, Jaclyn Smith, Suzanne Somers

The most common risk factors:
Sex. The disease is about 100 times more common among women.
Age. The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman grows older.
Personal History. Women who have had breast cancer and women with a history of breast disease may develop it again.
Family History. Mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives have had the disease. Important to know age at diagnosis.
The Breast Cancer Genes. Individuals who inherit an alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are at an "inherited" higher risk for breast cancer.

The next 5 risk factors all involve estrogen:
Having an early first period or menstrual bleeding. Women who begin menstruating before age 12 are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The more menstrual cycles a woman has over her lifetime, the more likely she is to get the disease.
Having a first pregnancy after age 25 or 35. Although early pregnancies may help lower the chances of getting breast cancer, these same hormonal changes after age 35 may contribute to the incidence of breast cancer.
Having no children. Women who experience continuous menstrual cycles until menopause are at a higher than average risk.
Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Other risk factors - and lifestyle choices to avoid them
Decrease your daily fat intake - especially saturated or hydrogenated fats. Eat leaner meats and limit red meat.
Increase fiber in your diet.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Limit alcohol.
Stay active.
Don't smoke.

Please keep my friend in your thoughts and prayers as her family is going through a very difficult time right now.