Look After Your Oranges

Today’s article is a very different one. I am all about beauty and we should all start with the beauty of health! Without our health, everything else disappears into insignificance.

This month, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the campaign running here in Cyprus is called Look After Your Oranges.

Breast Cancer is still the most common cancer for women. Breast Cancer can occur in men but it is very rare. Our risk of developing breast cancer increases as we get older. Self-checks are so important, and if you are over the age of 40 as I am, a mammogram once a year is essential. Mammograms are proven to reduce the rate of death from breast cancer. If you are over the age of 40, in Cyprus you are eligible for a mammogram on the Gesy for free.

Every minute, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer. That’s more than 1,400 women every day. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. Each year, it’s expected that about 2,670 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, and about 500 will die.

When was the last time you self-checked?

Our breasts change throughout our life for many reasons – like menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or puberty. So, it is so important to check them regularly, it will help to spot any new or unusual changes that should be checked out by a Doctor.

I check in the shower. I find it the easiest time to do it. I check one at a time. I raise each arm separately and check with the other hand, pressing firmly to check for any lumps.

I personally check weekly but the experts say once a month is enough. Next time you are in the shower, please check!

It takes a few minutes to do and can save your life! Please #look and be part of the #breastcancerawarenessca mpaign

Lumps are not the only sign of breast cancer. If you spot any of the following common signs, please go and see your Doctor:

A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest, or armpit
A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
A change in the colour of the breast. it may look red or inflamed
A nipple change – it may become inverted for example
Rash or crusting around the nipple
Unusual liquid or discharge from either nipple
Changes in the size or shape of the breast
Breast pain is not usually a sign of breast cancer but if the pain is in the breast or the armpit all the time, then get it checked out