Did you know that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer and it is important to be proactive about your health.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. FEW reminds everyone to use self-examination to fight against breast cancer and we support a healthy schedule of mammograms with your health care provider based on your family history and risk factors. Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and any time an abnormality is discovered, it should be investigated by a healthcare professional.

By performing monthly breast self-exams, you will be able to more easily identify any changes in your breast.  Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional if you notice anything unusual.

Talking confidently about breast health can be an important – though sometimes awkward— step in supporting breast cancer awareness. FEW wants to make sure you are aware of what breast cancer is and that you know your body and check often for changes.  We also want you to know that you can control some factors and we highly encourage you to do the following:

Maintain a healthy weight

Stay physically active

Eat fruits and vegetables

Do not smoke

Limit alcohol consumption

Most people who have breast cancer signs and symptoms will only notice one or two initially, and the presence of these symptoms and signs do not automatically mean that you have breast cancer. The key is prevention and FEW encourages you to Level Up your prevention game. You’ll find even more information at https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/healthy-habits