10_01_2017 Bulletin

Hope United Methodist Church Cancer Support Ministry
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Take Yourself, Friend and/or Church Member to Get Checked
Join us Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Library
Our guest speaker is Dr. Delano R. Smalls, MD—Cardiology Consultant
What is Breast Cancer? Cancer that forms in the cells of breasts. There are numerous kinds of breast cancers,
but cancer that begins in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) is the most common. It can occur in both men and
women.
Symptoms: May include:
A breast lump, thickening, or hardness that feels different from surrounding tissue, bloody nipple discharge,
change in size or shape of breast, changes in the skin over the breast such as dimpling, redness, or pitting
like an orange
What can you do to help yourself or others? Check yourself the same time every month and see a doctor if
you see or feel a lump or ANY change in your breast! Encourage others to do the same.
Risk Factors:
Women are much more likely than men to develop breast cancer and women older than 55 have a greater
risk than younger women.
If you've had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
Continue to see your Oncologist for regular assessments.
If you have a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer, you have a greater chance of being diagnosed
with breast cancer.
Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children.
If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of breast cancer because fat tissue produces estrogen that
may help fuel certain cancers.
Beginning your period at or before age 12 or menopause at an older age like 55.
Having your first child at an older age like after age 35 may have an increased risk.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and
symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. Experts recommend no more than one alcoholic
beverage a day for women.
PREVENTION: Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all, exercise most days of the week, aim for 30 minutes, limit
postmenopausal hormone therapy, maintain a healthy weight.
Breast cancer prevention for women with a high risk: Talk with your doctor about preventative medications
(estrogen blocking) or prophylactic surgeries such as removal of healthy breasts.
Tests and Diagnosis:
Breast Exam by you and your doctor, mammogram or x-ray of the breast, breast ultrasound to produce
images of the breast deep within, removing a sample of breast cells for testing (biopsy), breast magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) to create pictures of the interior of your breast.
Breast Cancer can be very aggressive survival is greater if caught early!
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Eric and Gloria Hardy – Chairs, Cancer Support Ministry
The Reverend B. Kevin Smalls, D. Min., Senior Pastor
The Reverend Rosaline Green, Executive Pastor