Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime? It’s more common than you’d think, but why? Well, no one really knows why some women get breast cancer and some women don’t, but there are some ways you can protect yourself. 

Reduce the risk

One of the best ways you can reduce your risk of cancer is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes exercising regularly, consuming a balanced diet, limiting substance abuse (such as smoking and drinking), and maintaining a healthy weight. You should make leading a healthy life your priority.

“About 5 percent of women with breast cancer are under 40. With age, risk increases. Women over 70 experience the highest rates; about a third of those diagnosed are older than 70.” – Healthy Magazine.

Early Detection

While you can reduce the risk of getting cancer, it is sometimes not preventable. That being said, it’s important to know the actions you should take in detecting breast cancer early on.

“When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%.” – National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Women should be aware of any changes or abnormalities that occur in the breast or underarm areas. Some of these changes and abnormalities may include breast pain or discomfort, breast lumps, changes in breast or nipple appearance, and/or clear or bloody nipple discharge.

Even if you do not notice any changes or abnormalities, it is important to perform breast self-exams at home as well as keep up on annual clinical breast exams and mammograms. Clinical breast exams can be done annually by a healthcare professional such as a family physician or gynecologist and, for women of 40 years and older, mammograms should be done every 1 to 2 years.

“Breast cancer death rates declined 40% from 1989 to 2016 among women. The progress is attributed to improvements in early detection.” – National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Diagnosis

Breast cancer can be diagnosed through multiple exams. A mammogram, MRI, biopsy, and ultrasound are some of the most common tests for breast cancer detection. If test results come back positive for breast cancer, it will then be determined how much the disease has progressed. 

Treatment

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, there are generally five treatment options which depend on the stage of breast cancer. These treatment options typically include a combination of radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapies.

During treatment, it’s important to take care of yourself. As mentioned earlier, while living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, it can also help you maintain good health during treatment as well as after.

MotivHealth Member: Sonnet Hinzte

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a heavy burden to carry. No one ever expects to be diagnosed, and it can be really overwhelming. At MotivHealth, we think it’s important that members focus on their health, especially with a big diagnosis such as breast cancer.

Listen to how MotivHealth has helped one of our valued members, Sonnet Hintze, focus on her health, rather than worry about health insurance costs, when she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Questions about care or coverage? Call one of our Personal Health Assistants, anytime, 24/7. (844) 234-4472.