National Cancer Institute’s definition of Breast Cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2014:

• New cases: 232,670 (female); 2,360 (male)
• Deaths: 40,000 (female); 430 (male)
• Every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
• 1 in 8 women in the US will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in US women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

There are scary facts for this type of cancer prevalent in women! But, when it is found early, according to the National Cancer Institute….

•  In the localized stage, the five year survival rate is 98%.
• Over 2.9 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the US today.

How awesome are these statistics! The key is EARLY DETECTION.

How do you do that? Start today by creating an Early Detection Plan at earlydetectionplan.org. You will receive reminders to do breast self-exams, and schedule your clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history.

Steps to Preventative Care:

1. Educate yourself about Breast Cancer – the symptoms and signs. Click here to learn more.
2. Perform Breast Self-Exams every month. You will discover patterns and will be able to determine changes if any occur and need to be checked by your doctor right away.
3. Get a Pap Smear every year. Breast exams are performed by your doctor and they will check for lumps or any other physical changes as part of their routine check.
4. Get a Mammogram once you turn 40 and/or older than 40 every 1-2 years. A Mammogram is an x-ray of your breast tissue that is examined by a qualified specialist. The breast is exposed to a small dose of radiation and produces an image of the tissue. According to NBCF, a mammogram can often show a breast lump before it can be felt. They also can show tiny clusters of calcium called microcalcifications. Lumps or specks can be caused by cancer, fatty cells, or other conditions like cysts. Further tests are needed to find out if abnormal cells are present.
5. Review your diet and choose healthier choices that will keep your body more alkaline. Cancers are formed in acidic body environments. All vegetables, fruits with the exception of cranberries, protein and beverages like tea (green tea, dandelion tea, ginseng tea), fresh squeezed juices except cranberry and freshly made vegetable juices all contribute al an alkaline environment. Check out Jillian Michael’s site for more details.

This Fall 2014, Uniform Advantage contributed over $5,000.00 by donating $1 from the sale of 2 of our prints: Pink Spin Black and Pink is Perfect Black prints to help join the war against breast cancer!!

About the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s (NBCF) mission is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.  A recipient of Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating for ten years, NBCF provides women Help for Today…Hope for Tomorrow® through its National Mammography Program, Beyond The Shock®, Early Detection Plan, MyNBCF online support community, and breast cancer research programs. For more information, please visit www.nbcf.org.

Check out this video resource on BeyondTheShock.com®. Beyond The Shock is a collaborative breast cancer guide created by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) with the support of the finest medical experts, doctors, and researchers in the world. NBCF utilized ground-breaking technology and the resources of the global medical community to create an accessible platform for understanding a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Hear Bonnie’s inspirational story and learn more about how she overcame breast cancer.

We welcome your support! Let’s educate ourselves more, get constant checkups and squash the war against Breast Cancer for good!