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Chat with Ruthie… Breast Cancer Awareness

Chat with Ruthie… Breast Cancer Awareness

Gram and friends by whatscookingwithruthie.com

My Gram is the 2nd from the left side and this a photo of her with her friends in 1942

I know, I know- we all hate thinking about Breast Cancer.  It’s just not a fun subject at all BUT, these facts recently published by the American Cancer Society emphasize how important it is to stay on top of our Breast health…

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2012:

  • About 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
  • About 63,300 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
  • About 39,510 deaths from breast cancer (women)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 36. Breast cancer death rates have been going down. This is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment. Right now there are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

 

What can we do to reduce the risk of getting Breast Cancer or any kind of cancer for that matter?

 

The National Breast Cancer Foundation  says there are five habits that each of us can do to greatly reduce our risks of dying from cancer:

  1. Maintain a healthy weight
  2. Stay physically active
  3. Eat fruits and vegetables
  4. Avoid tobacco
  5. Limit alcohol consumption
  6. Regular screenings

Early detection provides the greatest possibility for successful treatment. When breast cancer is detected early (localized stage), the 5-year survival rate is 98%.

By performing monthly breast self-examinations, regularly visiting your doctor for scheduled clinical breast exams, and following your recommendations for mammograms, you are showing your commitment to yourself, to your own health, and to those you love so that you can enjoy a long and healthy life.

 

My Grandma Louise (who was the inspiration for my blog) was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in May of 1986 and she survived with it for 10 years.  She had to have a mastectomy and she under went chemotherapy treatments too.   I know I have the heredity factor when it comes to Breast Cancer and so I am very diligent in drinking my Green Smoothies which are loaded with fruits and veggies.  Plus, I get a yearly check-up with my doctor and I’ve already had a not-so-bad-as-I-thought-it-would-be mammogram.

I need to be better about my monthly self breast exams but I do try and that is more than I used to do 🙂  It’s WAY better to err on the side of caution and take all the preventative measures we can when it comes to increasing the odds of NOT getting Breast Cancer.

 

Last year I made a couple of recipes and both of them talk about Breast Cancer Awareness, they are very tasty even though the photography isn’t the greatest 🙂

Breast Cancer Awareness Healthy Blueberry Scones

Breast Cancer Awareness Coconut Macaroons

 

I hope that in this month of National Breast Cancer Awareness we’ll increase our awareness of Breast Cancer.  I hope we will re-dedicate ourselves to living healthy lifestyles and keeping up on preventative measures for life long health and wellness.  Both of the sites that I linked above have a ton of really useful information if your wanting to explore further.

 

Thanks so much for chatting with me about this not so fun but very important topic 🙂

Love,

Ruthie

 

 

 

  1. […] it is to stay on top of your breast health.At the beginning of the month I wrote a post about Breast Cancer Awareness  please make sure and check it out.  I hope it might help motivate all of you to stay on top of […]

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