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Breast Cancer Awareness: Essential Tips and Information

Breast cancer, despite its recent decline in prevalence thanks to early detection and treatment techniques, remains a serious concern for women of all ages. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Davis Community, one of the leading providers of assisted living in Wilmington NC, wants to share some important information and helpful tips that every woman needs to know about this potentially deadly disease.

Breast Cancer – What are the Odds?

According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that one out of every eight women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point throughout her life. This means that approximately 12.4% of all women being born today will develop breast cancer. It is important to note, however, that these estimates are derived from breast cancer statistics for the years 2007 through 2009.

What are the Most Common Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer can affect any woman (and even some men) at any age. But, age remains one of the disease’s most common risk factors. The older a woman gets the higher at risk of developing breast cancer she becomes. At 30 years of age, the average woman has a 0.44% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the next ten years, but by the age 70, that risk level increases to 3.82%.

Along with age, there are also a number of other factors that cannot be changed. These include genetic alterations, breast tissue density, menstrual and menopausal histories, family and personal medical histories, and ethnicity. Research also shows exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol), hormone treatments, and radiation therapy can also play active roles in the development of breast cancer.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk?

Although there are many risk factors that cannot be changed, there are also several that can. For instance, women with obesity have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, so exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and managing one’s weight can help reduce one’s risk. Minimizing alcohol intake is another important step to helping reduce your risk of breast cancer, and while it has not necessarily been linked to breast cancer, stopping or not starting smoking is also beneficial to a healthy lifestyle.

For new mothers, research has shown that the longer one breastfeeds her baby, the lower of a risk for breast cancer she will be as she ages.

Assisted Living in Wilmington NC Offers On-Site Rehab for Women with Breast Cancer

Having a safe and supportive environment to recover from breast cancer surgery or treatment is an essential factor in recovering from the disease. At Davis Community assisted living in Wilmington NC, our Rehabilitation Pavilion provides our members with the recovery services they need to enjoy a faster recovery and improved overall health.

For more information about Davis Community or our medical programs and services, just give us a call today at 910-566-1200.

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