October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a good time to remember that some risk factors are beyond our control, like age, race, and family history.

My mother had breast cancer.  Her sister had breast cancer.  And my younger sister had breast cancer.   I know that I am at risk.  I have breast exams, mammograms, etc. on a schedule of some exam every six months.  I know that early detection is key to a good outcome. 

But, as the National Breast Cancer Foundation points out, we can adjust some behaviors to lower other risk factors.

Those include:

• Lack of Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can increase your risk for breast cancer.

• Poor Diet: A diet high in saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can, too.

• Being Overweight or Obese: So can being overweight or obese. Your risk is increased if you have already gone through menopause.

• Drinking Alcohol. Frequent consumption can increase risk; the more you drink, the greater the risk.

The foundation says about two-thirds of people with breast cancer have no connection to these risk factors at all, and other people with risk factors will never develop cancer.

One in eight women will get the disease at some point. Men can get it, too, but it occurs 100 times more often in women. 

I recently participated in a 5k/10K Run/Walk to raise money for Sharsheret, and organization that provides breast and ovarian cancer support services and educational resources, most with an added family focus.

You can help and can raise awareness. For example, donating $150 pays for a mammogram for a woman in need. You can learn ways you can get involved and spread the work.. And you can support early detection and get tested regularly yourself.