Health services promoting awareness for breast cancer

     Tarrant County College is promoting breast cancer awareness throughout the month of October.
     “Educational materials on breast cancer and the recognized pink ribbons that symbolize breast cancer awareness are available in the South Campus health services office,” Flo Stanton, M.S., R.N. and coordinator of health services, said.
     Each year approximately 180,000 new cases of breast cancer and 45,000 deaths from breast cancer occur, according to the National Cancer Institute.
     Statistics provided by the National Cancer Institute show that by age 25 chances are one in 19,608, that a woman will develop breast cancer.
     Although it is very unusual, men can also develop breast cancer. Statistics show that about 300 men die each year from the disease.
     The risk factors for breast cancer pertains to personal characteristics such as age, family history and reproductive factors, according to the American Cancer Society.
     All government and health organizations suggest a mammogram every year, or at least every two years after age 50.
     They also suggest that people make sure the mammogram is performed at a facility accredited by the American College of Radiology.
     The National Cancer Institute suggests the following self-care and preventive procedures:
     Eat a low-fat diet of 25 percent or less total fat calories.
     Eat vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.
     Limit foods that are salt-cured, smoked and preserved, such as hot dogs, bacon, smoked sausage and ham.
     Mothers should breast-feed newborn babies because doing so reduces the risk for breast cancer. Limit alcohol and do not smoke tobacco.
     Breast cancer information is available in the health service office on every campus.