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October 19th is Breast Cancer World Day. This day raises awareness for the fight against a condition that will affect 1 every 8 women in their lives.
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In 2018 more than 522.000 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in Europe. It is the most common type of cancer in women and also the deadliest amongst them.
Despite that, in the last few years, improvements in information, early diagnosis and surgical treatments have risen up the survival rate. -
Number of new cases of breast cancer in Europe
Mortality
Incidences
Women younger than 50 are at less likely to develop breast cancer, and they have more chances of surviving it. But do not lower your guard, because some studies estimate than around 40% or cases can be prevented.
Risk factors
And how to do that? For starters, reducing the exposure to risks factors like obesity, lack of physical exercise and alcohol consumption.
Did you know that not being pregnant before 30, not completing a full term pregnancy ever and not breastfeeding can increase the risk of breast cancer?
You should also know that taking hormone replacement treatments during menopause and some oral contraceptives can also affect the development of this condition.
Besides taking into account all this facts, the earliest the cancer is detected, the higher the chance you have to survive it. Mastectomies and chemotherapy are less likely to happen with an early diagnosis.What can you do to detect breast cancer?
01. Mammograms are the best technique to that. They can detect the condition up to 2 years before it develops.
02. Touch! Do frequent self-examinations and go to your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
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00/ Start your self-examination
Stand in front of a mirror and repeat the movements that we’ll show you.
Click on slide 01/ to begin. -
01/ Observe
With your arms down, watch if your breasts are deformed, reddened or if the nipples become inverted.
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02/ Raise
With your arms raised up and your hands in the back of your neck look for any changes.
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03/ Pinch
Carefully pinch your nipples and check if there’s a discharge of liquid.
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04/ Touch
Lay down and touch your breast with your fingertips. Move them up and down and in circles.
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05/ Touch
Get up and repeat the same movements in front of the mirror.
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If you notice any changes during the self-exam go to your doctor immediately.
Any doubts? Click here or do the self-exam again.
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