October is an important month for breast cancer awareness. Charities worldwide promote the cause to increase public knowledge of the disease and raise funds for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
Sadly, breast cancer affects millions of women globally, with 2.3 million new diagnoses and 685,000 deaths in 2020 alone. The disease is prevalent in every country and can occur in women of any age after puberty, but the risk increases with age. There were 7.8 million women worldwide diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, as of the year 2020 available data.
Breast Cancer: Who Is at Risk?
Breast cancer is the cancer that most frequently affects women in the US, excluding skin cancers. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there is a 13% chance, or a 1 in 8 probability, that a woman in the country will develop breast cancer at some point in life. However, the likelihood of dying from breast cancer is about 2.6% or a 1 in 38 chance.
Breast cancer is not contagious or infectious. Unlike certain types of cancer that are caused by infections, such as cervical cancer, which is linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), there are no known viruses or bacteria associated with the development of breast cancer.
What Factors Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer risk factors include increasing age, obesity, harmful use of alcohol, reproductive history, history of radiation exposure, postmenopausal hormone therapy, tobacco use, and family history of breast cancer. However, half of breast cancers occur in women over 40 years of age and of female gender, without any other identifiable risk factors.
Although having a family history of breast cancer increases the risk, most women diagnosed with the disease do not have a known family history. It is important to note that not having a known family history does not necessarily mean reduced risk.
Inherited high penetrance gene mutations, such as those in BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB-2, greatly increase the risk of breast cancer. Risk reduction strategies such as surgical removal of both breasts may be considered for women found to have these mutations.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer may exhibit a range of symptoms, particularly as it progresses. However, most individuals may not encounter any noticeable symptoms during the early stages. Some of the visible signs of breast cancer are:
- Thickening or lumps in the underarm area or breast
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Nipple discharge or inversion
- The skin on the breast or nipple may appear red or flaky
- Pain in any area of the breast
- Swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone
7 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
The mere mention of breast cancer is enough to cause concern for many women. It’s only natural, as nearly everyone likely knows someone affected by the disease.
However, it’s important to note that a lot of positive progress is being made in the fight against breast cancer. Treatments are continuously improving, and preventative measures are becoming more widely understood.
Here’s a list of eight lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. While not all of them may apply to any one woman, most women can take at least some of these steps to improve their breast health. Even making a single change can make a difference.
- Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for reducing the risk of various cancers, including breast cancer, particularly after menopause.
- Staying active is essential for optimal health. It can enhance mood and energy levels, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the likelihood of severe illnesses like breast cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, but even a little physical activity is better than none.
- Eating fruits and vegetables while avoiding alcohol can lower the risk of breast cancer. Even low drinking levels can increase the risk, so not drinking is the healthiest choice.
- Smoking causes at least 15 types of cancer, including breast cancer. Quitting smoking can bring benefits, no matter when you do it.
- Breastfeeding for over a year decreases breast cancer risk and benefits the child’s health.
- Women who take birth control pills may have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer, but this risk disappears soon after they stop taking the pill. It may also increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, especially in smoking women.
- Taking menopausal hormone therapy for extended periods is not recommended as it can lead to chronic illnesses. Research indicates that while it may reduce the risk of some diseases, it can increase the risk of others. It is important to note that estrogen-only and estrogen-plus-progestin hormones have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
What Role is CareCloud Playing?
CareCloud is a leading health IT firm playing a crucial role in the fight against breast cancer by providing innovative solutions like Electronic Health Records (EHR), Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), Chronic Care Management (CCM), Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) and more. These solutions are designed to improve patient care, reduce administrative burden, and increase efficiency for oncologists.
Chronic Care Management (CCM)
With CareCloud Wellness for Chronic Care Management (CCM), oncologists can entrust the program to a team of seasoned practitioners who can help you expand their care services without requiring additional operational resources.
Chronic Care Management can be extremely beneficial for oncologists treating breast cancer patients. With CCM, oncologists can regularly monitor and manage their patients’ chronic conditions and symptoms, including those related to breast cancer.
This can help ensure patients receive the appropriate care and support they need, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Besides, CCM can help oncologists identify potential complications or issues early on, leading to better outcomes and a more effective treatment plan.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
With the help of connected electronic devices, CareCloud Wellness for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) offers real-time data-driven insights into a breast cancer patient’s condition.
This allows oncologists to make informed clinical decisions proactively. Additionally, you can benefit from the expertise of a team of experienced care coordinators without investing in operational resources.
Remote Patient Monitoring allows oncologists to remotely monitor their breast cancer patient’s health status and treatment progress. By tracking vital signs, symptoms, and medication adherence, oncologists can identify potential issues early on and make data-driven decisions about their treatment plans.
RPM also improves patient engagement and satisfaction by providing greater flexibility and convenience. Patients can monitor their health status from home, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and minimizing disruptions to their daily lives.
Overall, RPM can be a valuable tool for oncologists treating breast cancer patients, helping to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
CareCloud’s tech-enabled revenue cycle management (RCM) solution can help oncologists streamline billing and payment processes, reduce administrative burden, and improve cash flow.
By automating tasks such as claims processing, charge capture, and payment posting, our RCM solution for oncology can help oncologists save time and reduce errors, allowing them to focus on providing quality care to breast cancer patients.
We assist oncologists in improving their financial performance while providing a better patient experience, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Bottom Line
Pinktober is a great way to spread breast cancer awareness and fight against the disease with early detection. However, some people confuse it and believe that branding everything pink or sporting a pink ribbon is enough. Yes, it is a positive change, but it is not the ultimate one.
Thus, CareCloud, using its more than two decades of experience, pledges to keep facilitating healthcare providers with the right software and services so that they continue doing what they do best, i.e., making lives better!
