Hello,
In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people wear pink ribbons and clothing to support the cause and honor the millions of people who are living with or have experienced breast cancer. October 13 also marks Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which aims to raise awareness about this advanced form of breast cancer and highlight the importance of research in this field. In Canada, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, and it is estimated that one in eight women will be affected by it during their lifetime.[i]
I was pleasantly surprised, after much reading, to discover Michelle Audoin. She is a breast cancer awareness advocate and the creator of Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, a CCPF initiative of the IORC, Rethink Breast Cancer Abbey Retreat Center.
Michelle Audoin was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017. Shocked to see that Black women were absent from images of scars and reconstructed breasts, she decided to launch Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project (in English) in collaboration with Rethink Breast Cancer.
Let's be vigilant!
What are the risk factors?
There is no single cause or trigger for breast cancer, but we can distinguish:
- Age
- Family history
- History of breast cancer
- Family history of ovarian cancer [ii]
Signs and symptoms
- Skin redness
- Breast deformity
- Inverted nipple
- Lump in the breast
- Hard lymph node under the armpit
- Nipple discharge [iii]
Breast palpation: how to self-examine your breasts?
Visit this link to watch a video showing the steps for breast self-examination: https://sante.journaldesfemmes.fr/fiches-anatomie-et-examens/2632697-palpation-mammaire-auto-examen-boule-age/
During this awareness period, it is also important to remember that taking care of oneself goes beyond preventive measures. Hair health, for instance, can be impacted during cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, which often affects the hair of those undergoing treatment. In this spirit, Aralia offers gentle and nourishing hair products specifically formulated to support scalp health and strengthen fragile hair. Taking care of your overall well-being, from head to toe, can contribute to a better quality of life throughout the healing process.
Take care of yourselves!
See you soon for another newsletter.
Farah
[i] Canadian Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Statistics , 2022.
[ii] https://ressourcessante.salutbonjour.ca/condition/getcondition/cancer-du-sein
[iii] Dr. Elisabeth Russ, pathologist, specializing in the diagnosis of breast cancer. (LE JOURNAL DES FEMMES, SANTE)
