TCCA:
401 S. College Street
PO Box 631
Covington, TN 38019(901) 476-3333
ADRS, Senior Center & Transportation:
(901) 476-1068
MIFA Meals (on site):
(901) 476-4664
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Breast Cancer Support Group
2nd Monday of the Month
Call TCCA for reservations and
more information.
476-3333
Lower your risk
for Breast Cancer!
How can you do that?
Breast cancer is a disease detectable, and curable if caught in it’s
early stages. So... begin early breast self-examinations (age 20 to
30 for those with a family history of breast cancer). Beginning
early can help reduce your risk. If you don’t know how to do a self
breast exam, come to our monthly support group meetings here at TCCA
and we’ll gladly allow you to view our video from the Susan G. Komen
Foundation! It is recommended you start at age 40 to have a
mammogram and earlier if there is a family history. Self breast
examinations, clinical exams and mammograms could help save your
life! Let’s help reduce the risk of breast cancer in Tipton County
by paying attention to our breast health. It is a published fact
that Tipton County women have the highest diagnosed rate of breast
cancer in the state of Tennessee.
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In 2010, records show there
has been a decrease in breast cancer diagnosed in the
U.S.! |
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In 2010 there were more than
2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.! |
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However, approximately
207,080 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be
diagnosed in women in the U.S. this year. |
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About 1 in 8 women in the
United States will develop breast cancer over the course of her
lifetime. About 1% of the male population will be diagnosed with
breast cancer. Risks doubles if he/ she has a close relative
(mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast
cancer. |
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About 39,840 women in the
U.S. were expected to die in 2010 of breast cancer though death
rates have been decreasing since 1990. Decreases are due to
early detection and treatment advances. |
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Rates of breast cancer
deaths are higher than any other diagnosed cancers in women in
the U.S. Compared to African-American women , white women are
slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but LESS likely
to die of it. One possible reason is African American women tend
to have more aggressive tumors. It is not known why this is the
case. Women in other ethnic backgrounds - Asian, Hispanic
and Native American have a lower risk of developing and dying
from breast cancer, than white women or African American women. |
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The good news - women are
getting smarter... they are doing self-exams every month and
having yearly mammograms.
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The above information in on the
web sites:
www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand
and
http://ww5.komen.org/breastcancer/earlydetectionampscreening.html
What are some of the
symptoms?
*Swelling of all or part of the breast
*Skin irritation or dimpling
*Breast pain - or pain in the arm pit area
*Nipple pain or turning inward and sometimes becoming lighter in
color
*Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
*Nipple discharge other than breast milk
*A lump in the breast, underarm area or in tissue surrounding the
breast area
What do I do if I have one or more of these symptoms?
*Make an appointment with your doctor for a breast exam
*Have your doctor schedule a mammogram
Can I do anything to help reduce the risk of breast cancer?
*Eat a healthy balanced diet
*Don’t smoke
*Sensible drinking
*Exercise at least three times a week or more
*Keep a healthy weight
*SELF EXAMINE YOUR BREASTS MONTHLY! (Get in the habit at an early
age.)
*Have a yearly clinical breast exam and mammogram
*Start your self exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms at age
20 if there is a history of breast cancer in your family
*Pay attention to your body!
While
there are steps every person can take to help the body stay healthy
as possible, breast cancer is never anyone’s fault. Feeling guilty,
or telling yourself breast cancer happened because of something you
or anyone else did, is not productive. We CAN and WILL be empowered
as women (and men) to take charge of our health by paying attention
to our body’s health. Our breast included!
Sue Wheeler
Meeting Facilitator
Breast
Cancer Survivor
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