Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 4 Ways to Support and Celebrate Breast Health
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Awareness was started in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries as a way to promote mammograms as the first line of defense against breast cancer. In 1992, the pink ribbon became the national symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness and is worn throughout the month of October.
To show your support and spread awareness, here are some ways you can participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
1. Educate Yourself
Spend some time learning the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The more familiar you are with them, the better you’ll be able to detect breast cancer in yourself or others. It’s important to remember that breast cancer is a serious medical issue that impacts millions of people’s lives. Take some time to educate yourself on the matter, whether that means attending a live talk by a breast cancer survivor, connecting with a family or friend who has breast cancer to better understand what they are going through, or simply doing your research online. There is so much more to breast cancer than pink ribbons.
2. Examine Yourself
Self-examinations are an important part of breast cancer detection, so no matter what age you are. Monthly breast self-exams can help you detect changes that may be signs of infection or breast cancer. When breast cancer is detected early, the chances for survival are much better. A breast self-exam takes only a few minutes and can easily be built into your daily schedule. You can do a breast exam when you’re getting dressed or undressed, lying in bed, or taking a shower.
The best way to examine your breast are:
Visual inspection: With your shirt and bra removed, stand in front of a mirror. Put your arms down by your sides. Look for any changes in breast shape, breast swelling, dimpling in the skin or changes in the nipples. Next, raise your arms high overhead and look for the same things. Finally, put your hands on your hips and press firmly to make your chest muscles flex. Look for the same changes again. Be sure to look at both breasts.
Manual inspection while standing up: With your shirt and bra removed, use your right hand to examine your left breast, then vice versa. With the pads of your three middle fingers, press on every part of one breast. Use light pressure, then medium, then firm. Feel for any lumps, thick spots or other changes. A circular pattern may help you make sure you hit every spot. Then, press the tissue under the arm. Be sure to check under the areola and then squeeze the nipple gently to check for discharge. Repeat the steps on the other side of your body.
Manual inspection while lying down: When you lie down, your breast tissue spreads more evenly. So this is a good position to feel for changes, especially if your breasts are large. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, apply the same technique as step 2, using the pads of your fingers to press all parts of the breast tissue and under your arm. Finally, swap the pillow to the other side, and check the other breast and armpit. Be sure to check under the areola and then squeeze the nipple gently to check for discharge.
3. Wear Pink
The pink ribbon is an international symbol for breast cancer. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month people wear pink ribbons at work, school, and/ or events to honor survivors, remember those lost to the disease, and to support the progress we are making together to defeat breast cancer. Wearing pink is a simple way to express support for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It can also be a great conversation starter for educating others and spreading awareness.
4. Participate in No Bra Day
No Bra Day is an annual observance on October 13 on which women are encouraged to go braless as a means to encourage breast cancer awareness. Bellesa will be celebrating National No Bra Day and you can purchase “Bras Suck” merchandise to wear here.
