October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity for all to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our communities.
A lot of people think breast cancer only affects women, but men are affected too.
Check out these statistics:
Early detection is still key into treating breast cancer in both women and men.
Symptoms for women and men could include
- new lumps or thickening in the breast or under the arm
- nipple sores, discharge or turning in
- changes in the size or shape of the breast
- skin of the breast dimpling
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit area
Some people have no symptoms at all and the cancer is found during a mammogram or a physical examination by a doctor.
Causes of breast cancer for women and men
Lifestyle factors that can increase breast cancer include being overweight, not enough physical activity, smoking and alcohol. Other non-lifestyle factors can include:
- age
- family history
- exposure to female hormones (natural and administered)
Women 50 to 74 are invited to access free mammograms every 2 years via the BreastScreen Australia Program and unfortunately, doctors do not recommend men to get screened for breast cancer.
For more on breast cancer visit:
- Cancer Council or download their PDF Understanding Breast Cancer
- Australian Government | Cancer Australia
- Australian Government | Cancer Australia - Breast Cancer in Men
- BreastCancer.org.au (WA)
- Breast Cancer Network Australia
- McGrath Foundation
- National Breast Cancer Foundation
- Pink Ribbon
