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Be Cancer Aware is devoting this Women’s Day to encouraging women to be aware of breast cancer, as well as cancer in general. Knowing your body and educating yourself on the signs and symptoms will benefit overall health.
Women’s Day is often considered a day that is just about celebrating femininity and what it means to be a woman. But it is more than just that.
Women are many things to us. They are our mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, lovers, caretakers, friends and more. Most importantly, women are the buttons that keep families and friends together. Let’s look out for them and make sure they look after themselves.
A breast self-exam (BSE) can be an important way to find breast cancer. BSE can be considered a useful and essential screening tool, especially when one realises than nearly 70% of all breast cancers are, in fact, found through self-exams. And when BSE is used in combination with regular physical exams done by a doctor, it can drastically increase breast cancer survival.
Performing monthly or regular breast exams will also help women familiarise themselves with how their breasts normally look and feel. Breasts can have different textures, depending on where you’re touching. The tissue near the armpit can be different to the tissue near the lower half of the breast, for example. After one has familiarised themselves, it becomes easier to spot or feel something wrong.
Different types of breast cancer
It’s important to remember there are a number of breast cancer types, which vary in severity, and this includes HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2) positive breast cancer. This is an aggressive cancer, therefore the importance of early detection is critical.
So, if diagnosed with breast cancer, know you’re HER2 status and educate yourself about the targeted therapy that is available.
In a collaborative effort, HER2 pink & orange breast cancer ribbons attached to a bookmark, are being distributed through the online fashion store, 36Boutiques. The bookmark will include a BSE guide, with some helpful hints and tips for women and their partners. Proceeds will go to Reach for Recovery to aid their good work – supporting, motivating and encouraging women to stand up to their illness and face it head on.
“Our focus on women extends further than their wardrobe. This is why we're taking the opportunity to celebrate women during the entire month of August, instead of just on Women's Day,” says the very excited 36Boutiques Team.
The HER2 pink & orange breast cancer ribbons encourage women to think beyond pink and find out their type of breast cancer so that they can get the right diagnosis, tests and treatment.
So on this special day, let’s remember the women that have struggled for our benefit and those that have fallen. Take care of your loved ones by taking care of yourself.
Roche Products press release issued by Matrix Advertising and Communications
- (Health24, August 2012)
Read more:
How to do a breast self-examination
Breast cancer: real-life stories
