Page 24 - October 24, 2024 Bulletin

STOP BREAST CANCER

IN ITS TRACKS

Cancer. It’s a scary word to hear in a diagnosis for WHAT YOU NEED
yourself or a loved one. But many cancers are highly TO AVOID
treatable when caught early, including breast cancer. There are certain chemicals,
Breast cancer can affect men or women, the old or called carcinogens, that can
the young. Here are a few easy steps you can take cause cancer. They often appear
to reduce your risk or catch it early. in common household goods
and in our environment.
• BPA (Bisphenol A) appears
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW in many hard plastic items,
like water bottles or plastic
We’ll start with the easiest step of all in detecting breast cancer early: containers, and can damage
KNOWLEDGE. your reproductive, nervous or
• You need to know your body and its lumps and bumps so you can immune system and increase
catch anything new fast, especially around your chest or armpits. The your risk of Alzheimer’s, diabetes,
easiest way to do that is to get in the habit of checking yourself as heart disease and more.
you bathe or get dressed. • Parabens and phthalates
• You need to know your family history. Find out if anyone else in your can be found in hygiene and
family has had breast cancer or other types of cancer, as it increases cosmetic items, like shampoos
your risk of cancer. or makeup. Read product labels!
Parabens can disrupt your body’s
• You need to know what screening measures are recommended for natural hormone balance and
you. Talk with your primary care provider during your annual visits harm your fertility, reproductive
about what makes the most sense for you. organs and more. Phthalates
can also harm your reproductive
and nervous systems.
• Car exhaust fumes and
secondhand smoke aren’t just
bad for your lungs and heart,
they can cause cancer as well.

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