THINK PINK

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this special month people all over the country will be "thinking pink." Here are a few helpful things you need to know about breast cancer.

Symptoms Women Ignore:
* Breast changes- aside from looking for lumps, redness and thickening of the skin on the breast is a sign of a rare, but aggressive form of breast cancer
* Unusual discharge from the nipples
* Unexplained weight loss- 10 pounds or more a month without an increase in exercise or decrease in food
* Changes in the lymph nodes- lymph nodes that get progressively larger
      (SOURCE: www.webmd.com)


Ways to Lower Risk:
* Reduce exposure to BPA ( bisphenol A), a weak synthetic estrogen found in many plastic products, food and formula can linings that can disrupt the body's normal hormonal balance which can cause breast cancer growth. Opt for drinking from glass, steel or ceramic water bottles and avoid high canned food intake
* Limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day
* Control your weight- being overweight or obese can increase risk of breast cancer
* Stay physically active- the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as walking or swimming
* Discontinue hormone therapy- long-term combination hormone therapy in women increases the risk of breast cancer
                  (SOURCE: www.mayoclinic.com)