October is Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness and Intimate Partner Violence Awareness are emphasized throughout the United States. I am posting this blog In honor of every person whose life has been touched by a loved one with breast cancer or intimate partner violence.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
- Overweight/obesity
- Use of combined estrogen and progesterone hormone
- Physical inactivity
- Alcohol consumption
- Cigarette smoking
- Family history
Risk Factors for Domestic Violence
- Unemployment or under-employment
- Marital conflict
- Dominance and control of relationship by one partner over the other
- Economic stress
- Family history of violence
- Low self esteem
Prevention for Domestic Violence
- Education and life skill training
- Mentoring and peer programs that promote intimate partnerships
- Social marketing campaigns
Prevention and Early Detection for Breast Cancer
- The American Cancer Society recommends that screening for breast cancer start at age 40
- Mammography can find most breast cancers at an early stage when treatment is more effective
Statistics
- In 2014, 232,670 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur in women and 2360 new cases are expected to occur in men.
- 40, 430 deaths are expected to occur from breast cancer in 2014.
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
- On average, nearly 20 people per minute are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to more than 10 million women and men each year.
References
www.cancer.org www.ncadv.org www.CDC.gov
The reader is advised to discuss specific screening recommendations with their primary care physician.
