Health and Fitness Information Center

Breast Health, Part 2

• Health Topics

• Asthma/Allergies
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Testing
• Body Fat Measuring
• Breast Exam
• Breastfeeding
• Cholesterol
• Defibrillator
• Diabetes
• Family Health
• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Safety
• Stress
• Thermometry
• Weight Control

Nearly everyone recognizes the little pink ribbon as the symbol of breast cancer awareness. We know the statistics and run the fund-raising races. We support research. But how well do you know your own history? Risk factors? Anatomy?

Statistics are numerical representations of "facts" about a certain topic or population. The problem with using statistics as a quick guideline is that you often need to look closely at what the numbers are actually representing to understand what they really mean. The statistics about breast cancer are a good case in point. "One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer." This is a sobering statement that has often been seen in the media. What these numbers don't tell you are that the odds change depending on your age and risk factors. Are you at less or more risk for your age? How does your personal history affect your risk? Organizations like the American Cancer Society have lots of information on how to decipher your family and medical history as well as risk factors.

As yet, there is no 100-percent foolproof way to detect early breast cancer. So why do anything, if the recommended exams may not detect a cancerous spot? The answer is this - the more you know about your body and about changes that could occur, the better your chances are of detecting cancer or another problem early. "Get to know your breasts" sounds awkward and suggestive at the same time, but how else will you know if something has changed? You can't, if you don't know what is normal for you.