Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Make a difference for those who suffered from breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Canada. On average, 78 Canadian women is diagnosed with breast cancer every day. Fifteen Canadian women would lose their life from breast cancer every day. Breast cancer is not exclusive to only females; but it could also occur to men as well. This month (i.e. October) will be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. During this campaign, there are many ways you can help make a real difference for people suffered and impacted by breast cancer.
As a socially responsible business that seeks to leverage business for a more just and sustainable world, Heymate! has been staunch supporter in supporting those who suffer from cancer. Heymate! is, therefore, doing a charity donation where every single follower that we have on Instagram and Facebook, we will donate $1 to Canadian Cancer Society.
What Is Breast Cancer?
When cells grow old or become damaged, they perish, and new cells would take up their place. Cancer refers to any one of many diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and could infiltrate and annihilate normal body tissue. There are different types of breast cancer, which includes ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, and metastatic breast cancer.
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Diagnosing breast cancer usually begins when a lump is being found in breast, or a screening mammography suggests a problem with the breast. Doctors often use additional tests to find or diagnose breast cancer. They may refer women to a breast specialist or a surgeon. The doctor can rule out whether the patient indeed have a health problem. According to CDC, breast cancer area diagnosed via:
- Breast ultrasound: A machine that uses sound waves to make pictures, called sonograms, of areas inside the breast.
- Diagnostic mammogram: If you have a problem in your breast, such as lumps, or if an area of the breast looks abnormal on a screening mammogram, doctors may have you get a diagnostic mammogram. This is a more detailed X-ray of the breast.
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A kind of body scan that uses a magnet linked to a computer. The MRI scan will make detailed pictures of areas inside the breast.
- Biopsy: This is a test that removes tissue or fluid from the breast to be looked at under a microscope and do more testing. There are different kinds of biopsies (for example, fine-needle aspiration, core biopsy, or open biopsy).
Why Screening is important?
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Breast Cancer Screening Tests are either made by MRI or Mammogram. Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnet and radio waves to take photo with the breast, whereas a mammogram scans the breast by X-ray. Both are effective methods to screen out.
Breast cancer often comes with little or no symptoms. In many circumstances, there are no apparent symptoms to breast cancer. Therefore, regular breast cancer screening is important to save lives. When breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Therefore, it is important to encourage early detection of cancer through education and self-examination. Supporting patient navigators and community health workers who help remove barriers to accessing cancer information, services, and treatment would be the most effective way to reduce cancer and save lives.
Heymate is a staunch supporter to the Canadian Cancer Society. The fund has been supporting various ground-breaking research to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer, and a national support system to ensure everyone affected by breast cancer gets the support they need. The support helps fund innovative research to detect breast cancer earlier. The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, donate to help create a world where no Canadian fears breast cancer.
