Spotlight on Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Australia – a time to focus on prevention and the impact that the disease can have on families.

Many of us know someone affected by Breast Cancer. Since we first published this blog a year ago, the incidence of breast cancer in women has increased from 1 in 8, to 1 in 7 women being Breast Cancer Awareness Monthdiagnosed in their lifetime. It’s very alarming that the numbers are increasing! According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Australia, with eight women dying from the disease every day. The NBCF aims to change the outcomes for all those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Early Detection

Early detection of breast cancer gives the best possible chance of survival. The earlier an abnormality is found, the greater the number of effect treatment options. Regardless of your age or gender, it’s important to be breast aware.

How to Be Breast Aware

Bubbaroo wants all of our customers, mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends, even the men in our lives to be breast aware. Here’s what you can do to be “breast aware” according to the Breast Cancer Awareness Network:

Check

Know your body, check your breasts and the area around them regularly, ideally from age 16. Breast changes might be seen or felt and can include (but are not limited to):

  • Lumps: in the breast tissue, in the arm pits or around the collar bones, may be tender, pain free, round, flat, irregular, rough, smooth, stuck in place or movable.
  • Breast AwareSkin changes: redness, rash, heat, thickening, dimpling, puckering/pulling on movement, including skin around the breasts and in the arm pits.
  • Nipple changes: crusting, bleeding or discharge from the nipple, finding the nipple is pulling inward (retracting) over time.
  • Others: changes in breast size or shape, persistent pain in the breast or armpit, even without other changes.

DETECT

If you find a change, book in with a GP as early as possible to get a referral for imaging. Imaging is especially vital if you think the change might have been there for more than 4 weeks.

FOLLOW UP

If your imaging is clear great! But make a plan with your doctor to follow up the change you presented with, and return earlier if you notice further changes.

FAMILY

Find out about your family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Talk to your GP about when YOU should start screening based on this history, considering MRI and family cancer clinic care are options if you have increased risk.

Check Often

In order to conduct a thorough check, follow the guide here at the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Ways to Reduce the Risk

There are some ways that you can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. But there are also some factors that you are unable to change. Factors such as your ethnicity, being tall, ageing, experiencing early puberty or late menopause, a family history of the disease, genetic makeup and high breast density are not factors that you can control. Vigilance and breast awareness are your best tools to detect any changes to your breasts.

Making healthy lifestyle choices is the best way to reduce your chance of breast cancer and Breastfeeding reduces risk of cancermany other diseases. Here are a few that have been shown to reduce the risk:

  • Reduce your alcohol intake
  • Maintain a healthy weight throughout your life
  • Be active
  • Breastfeed if you can
  • Eat well
  • Try not to stress (check out our blog “Your Health is Your Wealth”).
  • Avoid long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Don’t smoke

I urge you all to check your breasts regularly for changes and to be breast aware. Help us spread the word!

If you are able, make a donation to help prevent, detect, research and give quality of life to those who suffer from this terrible disease. Donate on the NBCH webpage.

*This information is a guide only and does not constitute comprehensive medical advice. Consult your doctor for more information and specific advice.

Nicole Cassey

written by

Nicole Cassey

Nicole Cassey, Mum to Jacob and Emily, founder and general dog’s body at Bubbaroo. Nicole was inspired to create Bubbaroo and Australia’s first swaddle after the personal experience she had with her first child, Jacob.

Nicole explains "It is such a steep learning curve becoming a parent. Getting to know the baby you created and finding your groove as a parent. You sometimes feel like you need to become a detective to try to interpret your baby's cues, personality, cries and behaviour. This is my passion to help parents on their journey, especially new parents as they transition to parenthood."

Nicole has a passion for sharing knowledge and community, regularly organising and presenting at various expectant parent and sleep workshops. Nicole ensures she is up to date with the latest evidence-based safe sleep and health research. Bubbaroo collaborates with experts in their field that share similar values and philosophies and have a passion for helping and supporting parents and expectant parents.

Nicole’s attention to detail with the creation of her premium quality baby, toddler and child sleepwear is exceptional. Nicole has been committed to ensure that Bubbaroo is not just a mass market brand producing products, Nicole’s focus is on helping your baby sleep safely in products that stand the test of time.

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