#UnleashPink: Breast Cancer risk factors that you can minimize

Unleash Pink

It’s not often you get an entire month dedicated to raising awareness around one cause.

No doubt that many lives have been saved because October is dedicated to Breast Cancer awareness; because all this interest led to one woman to get herself screened which then led to early detection which ultimately saved her life.

This October, The Gina Din Foundation chose to support the movement with the hashtag #UnleashPink – something that aimed to get conversations with the hope of getting more women screened.

To celebrate the end of this successful campaign, a small tea part was held at Gina Din’s plush garden on Tuesday (21.10.2015).

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Surrounded by buckets of pink roses and Instagram-perfect cupcakes, a group of men and women sat and listened as Benda N. Kithaka, Chairlady of Women For Cancer Foundation, carefully listed the different things you could do to help reduce the various risk factors.

And if there’s anything I’ve learned this month, it’s that sharing is caring. So here are five things that you could do to help fight this disease as shared by Kithaka:

  • Know the facts from fibs. There are so many myths out there (from the need to wear tighter bras and the effects of using deodorant) that have not fully been researched yet. Know your facts and do some research to educate yourself on the disease.
  • Be active. According to studies, working out may help lower hormone levels and consequently prevent tumors from developing. You may not always have the time to go to the gym but little things like doing your household chores yourself, skipping at home while watching your favourite TV show or parking your car a little further so that you can walk the distance will help keep you in good shape.
  • You are what you eat. A balanced diet will help keep your body in good shape. Don’t be too quick to reach out for red meats and instead aim to include more fruits and vegetables which are excellent sources of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

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  • Put the cigarette down. Smoking really does hurt your body in so many different ways and is one of the leading causes of cancer. The chemicals found in cigarettes damage your DNA which may lead damaged cells into being cancerous. If there ever was a time to curb that craving, it’s now.
  • Regular self examination. Checking your body for cancers (e.g. breast and skin cancer) can lead to early detection which could potentially save your life. See here for breast and here for skin self examination tips. And if you haven’t already be sure to get screened.

 

“With breast cancer, it’s all about detection. You have to educate young women and encourage them to do everything they have to do.” Bill Rancic

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