By Jordan Tunks
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to Young Survival Coalition, in 2015, there were 231,840 cases of invasive breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 15 to 39. Early detection is a vital component in recovery and remission. Most insurance plans offer a free mammogram once a year. If one doesn’t have insurance and are below the poverty line, Wyandotte Public Health Department and Swope Parkway Health Center offer free mammograms here in Kansas City. On Freemammograms.org you can search any state and city to see where free mammograms are offered and the criteria for these. This could be critical in saving someone’s life if they aren’t sure where to go for help.
According to Young Survival Coalition, 80% of young women diagnosed with breast cancer find the breast abnormality themselves. Knowing how to conduct these tests on yourself is a very important tool to know. Doing these tests on yourself is important to do at least once a month. Using your fingertips and circling the nipple and tracking to the outside of the breast is a simple way to check for any new bumps. Also looking for redness and new markings is important.
Approximately 30% of all breast cancer in young women occur in the few years after a woman has had a baby or while she is still pregnant. If you are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last five years, your body is more vulnerable and can become more susceptible to things like Breast Cancer. All women, but especially mothers, should be informed on when and how to do this exam on themselves. Check out this diagram and become familiar with how to perform the exam properly, and make sure to make yearly appointments for mammograms to ensure you are staying as healthy as possible!