Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Five Things to Tell Your Friends about Breast Cancer

Here are 5 things about breast cancer that the American Cancer Society thinks you should tell your family, your friends and any woman you care about.

#1 - All women can get breast cancer. Even those who have no family history.
#2 - The two most important risk factors are being a woman and growing older.
#3 - Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer when it is early and the cancer has not spread, have a high chance of surviving it. Mammograms are the best way to find it early. Get one every year starting at age 40. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts.
#4 - Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake can help reduce your chances of developing breast cancer.
#5 - More women than ever before are surviving breast cancer through early detection and improved treatments.

This information was provided by the American Cancer Society, Inc. For more information on breast cancer risk and early detection you can contact them 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.