Beat Breast Cancer with Self-Exams and Regular

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a month set aside for collaborative effort to promote awareness, share information, and provide greater access to services related to the treatment of this terrible disease. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In 2011, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. Still, almost 40,000 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, according to Breastcancer.org.

The most important factor in survival is early detection. Breast cancer detected while in stages 0-2 offers a significantly higher five-year survival rate than more advanced stages.

According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of a patient receiving treatment with stage 0 (non-invasive) breast cancer is 93%. At stage 1 and 2, the survival rate drops to between 88% and 74%. Once cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body, the survival rate drops significantly. Stage 4 breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 15%. 

Early detection through self-examination and regular mammograms is vital. One in eight women is expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.

Studies of massage for cancer patients suggest massage can decrease stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue. Many health care professionals recognize massage as a useful, noninvasive addition to standard medical treatment. Therapeutic massage is most often given by trained massage therapists. Caregivers can also be trained in safe massage techniques.

Through knowledge, early detection, and an active community effort, we can help fight breast cancer.

You can find more information about breast cancer and how you can help here.