Staying on top of breast health is important for women and men alike, but it’s especially important to spread breast cancer awareness whenever possible. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the perfect time to show your support for a cause that’s close to your heart!  When you help raise awareness, you advocate for the health and well-being of yourself and others.

While we all know that breast cancer widely affects individuals and families around the world, many people don’t understand much about the condition itself and are unaware of what symptoms to look out for.

Here are 6 facts you need to know about breast cancer as you join Plexus® in spreading the word this October.

6 Facts You Need to Know About Breast Cancer

1. Breast cancer is more common than you think.

Second to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. This means that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, putting the risk of developing the disease at about 12%. That’s why being aware of the symptoms is crucial to your health.

2. Breast cancer symptoms are not the same for everyone.

Most of us have been taught to complete regular, monthly self-exams, but checking for obvious lumps isn’t enough when it comes to breast health. Be sure to also check for:

• Abnormal swelling
• Skin irritation
• Nipple retraction
• Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
• Irregular nipple discharge

Things change from time to time, so it is vital to know what your “normal” breast health looks like. Also, make it a habit to check the lymph nodes around the breast area to detect if there are symptoms that may have slipped your notice.

3. Family history is not always a breast cancer predictor.

It’s true that family history is a strong predictor of your future breast health, but it’s just one of several factors contributing to your risk. For example, if you’ve had any sort of chest radiation therapy under the age of 30, you are at a higher risk.

Additionally, most women and men diagnosed with breast cancer have zero risk factors in their family history, which is just one more reason to be mindful of your body and proactive in your breast health.

4. Breast cancer screening is not one size fits all.

Regular self-exams help establish your “normal” so if changes occur, you will notice them immediately. Going beyond your monthly self-checks, regular visits with your doctor should be a priority. Though screening recommendations can vary by agency, the typical guidelines for screenings are:

• Standard protocol: Screen with a yearly mammogram starting at age 45.
• Average risk: Screen yearly and with further scans at your own discretion, ages 40-44.
• High risk: Start screening at age 30.

5. Mammograms are your friend.

When you are 45 or older, it is time for a yearly mammogram screening to be sure that everything up top is in tip-top shape!

Unfortunately, symptoms or the lack of symptoms are not always the whole story when it comes to cancer awareness. Sometimes a mammogram is exactly what you need to set your mind at ease. For support between yearly mammograms, we suggest completing your self-examination each month.

6. Early detection is key.

The American Cancer Society states, "When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99 percent." That means that breast cancer is treatable and curable when caught early and treated effectively but takes a proactive approach to personal health. Take the time to screen and seek the help of your doctor when necessary.

Men and Breast Cancer

Contrary to public perception, men are also susceptible to breast cancer and should know the risks just as well as women do. Frequent checks are less common in men but just as important in seeking out the warning signs of possible trouble.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in every 100 breast cancer diagnoses in the United States is a man. Certainly, it is not quite as common as with women, but the frequency should be recognized.

Men and women should check their lymph nodes as well as nipple and breast tissue regularly, especially with:

• A family history of breast cancer in either sex
• Past radiation or hormone treatment
• Obesity, cirrhosis of the liver, or conditions involving the testicles

Show Your Support!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are doing our part to raise awareness and support those impacted by breast cancer. Every Brand Ambassador, VIP Customer, and Retail Customer is invited to not only raise awareness about breast cancer but also support an organization providing community and resources to those impacted by breast cancer.

This month, any order where Lean is added to a subscription containing Slim, or where Slim is added to a subscription containing Lean, will trigger a double donation to Feeding America as part of the Nourish One initiative. Plexus will then match this double donation with a donation to Cancer Support Community Arizona and other affiliates across the United States.