2022 Paint the Paper Pink

Page 6 2022 PAINT THE PAPER PINK Lincoln Daily News Oct/Nov 2022 Most of the time, breast changes are not cancer, but an experienced health care professional can examine the breast and determine whether additional tests are needed to rule out cancer. The main risk factor for developing breast cancer is simply being a woman. Women who menstruate at an early age, had their first child late in life or had no children, or have experienced menopause at a late age seem to have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer rises as a woman ages. Women, age 65 and older, are twice as likely to develop breast cancer than women between the ages of 40 and 64. Although the risk of developing breast cancer is greater if a woman’s mother, grandmother, or sister has had breast cancer, most women who are diagnosed have no family history. In fact, 80% of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. All women are at risk of developing breast cancer and early detection is the key. Mammography, clinical breast examinations and breast self-examinations offer the best opportunity for breast cancer to be detected at an early stage for life-saving treatment to be more effective. LCDPH urges women to play it safe by following the precautionary measures to reduce breast cancer. For more information, contact LCDPH at 217-735-2317 and, for information regarding services, visit their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG . [Don Cavi, MS, LEHP Public Health Administrator Logan County Department of Public Health] Information Source: IDPH