Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Some women are genetically predisposed to the disease. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no risk factors other than being female. Many lead healthy lives and have no symptoms until a mammogram detects an abnormality. Others find an unfamiliar change in the breast and seek care.

Breast awareness is crucial to prevention and early detection. The MemorialCare Breast Center at Long Beach Memorial urges you to report these eight breast changes that you may find in a monthly exam to your doctor:

  • Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
  • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
  • Change in the size or shape of the breast
  • Dimpling or puckering of the skin
  • Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
  • Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
  • Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
  • New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

By adopting healthy behaviors and being proactive with your breast care, you can help to lower the possibility of a cancer diagnosis. Follow these helpful tips to stay one step ahead:

Know your risk
Learn about your family health, especially cancer, history
Talk to a physician about your personal risk of breast cancer

Get screened
If you are at a higher risk, ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you
Begin annual mammograms starting at age 40
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol
Limit postmenopausal hormone use
Breastfeed if possible

By educating yourself on the controllable factors that increase risk, performing monthly self-exams and getting regular clinical breast exams and mammograms you can reduce your chance of diagnosis OR increase the likelihood that if breast cancer is diagnosed that it is found early and is curable! Show breast cancer who’s boss!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Long Beach Memorial is offering “Breast Happy Hours” every Wednesday in October from 4 to 6 p.m. at the MemorialCare Breast Center. Those who come in for a mammogram during the “Happy Hours” will have a chance to win prizes — from spa robes to gift certificates. Head/neck massages, refreshments and light appetizers will be provided and, most importantly, there also will be a drawing for a free mammogram.