One in eight women will develop breast cancer. That is a statistic that many of us women have heard over the years. But there was a new statistic that I heard when I had the chance to talk with obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Russell Stankiewicz, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in The department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Family Medicine at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, PA.) One that I had not heard before and one that directly affects me.
You see there is hereditary breast cancer and sporadic breast cancer – and they are different. I have been fortunate – knock on wood – that my (genetic) family has not been touched by breast cancer. Somehow this felt like I had a layer of protection. I believed in the misconception that family history and having the BRCA gene are the leading causes of breast cancer. I no longer feel that I am protected because after talking with Dr. Stankiewicz, I have come to realize that 85% of women who develop breast cancer have little-to-no family history of the disease. 85% – That is a the majority of breast cancers!
In fact there are a number of other risk factors that Dr. Stankiewicz covers in our interview, and I possess some of these factors! The positive outcome of my conversation with Dr. Stankiewicz, is that information is powerful and with information we can work with our doctors to create a breast plan and be proactive with our health.
Please take them time to watch the following interview – I learned so much!
Learn More About Your Breast Cancer Risk:
Interview with Dr. Russell Stankiewicz, MD
I am going to be having a conversation with my doctor about the BREVAGenplus® test to evaluate my personal risk of developing sporadic breast cancer. After all, it is simply a cheek swab. Whether or not I am a candidate for the BREVAGenplus® is something that I will be talking about and determining with my doctor.
You can find more about BREVAGenplus® predictive risk assessment test for sporadic breast cancer at www.brevagenplus.com.
I also wanted to let you know that BREVAGenplus® is sponsoring a Breast Cancer Awareness Sweepstakes* and you are invited to participate!
Want a chance to win a day of spa pampering?
Simply:
• Go to the BREVAGenplus Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/BREVAGenplus
• Click on the Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotion tab
• Tell them what motivates you to learn more about your breast cancer risk
* NO PURCHASE NESESSARY. Open to women who are legal residents of the United States, ages 35-65. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. BREVAGenplus Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sweepstakes begins 12:01 PM ET on October 1, 2015 and ends at 11:59 AM ET on October 30, 2015. For full Official Rules, visit Facebook.com/BREVAGenplus or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Phenogen Sciences, 23 Hubbard Road, Wilton, CT 06897.
The most important lesson that I have learned as a woman – is that I need to take care of myself! That is why this year my focus is self-care. Before I can take care of others – I need to take care of myself and my health. It is vital that we are proactive when it comes to our well being.
What do you do to help protect your health?
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I really need to research my genetic risk a bit more. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this kind of info is always helpful and I like to save so I can revisit anytime.
Such an important message that you can’t stress enough. Thanks for spreading the word about breast cancer awareness.
I would have never thought that a cheek swab would be able to detect breast cancer risk. I’ve always been fearful of breast cancer (it doesn’t run in my family), but I have always been paranoid about it.
Really? A cheek swab? I had no idea it could be that easy! Thanks for sharing this truly valuable information!
Thank you for sharing. This is great information and it come at exactly the right time. We need to all take care of ourselves!
seems pretty easy. great post especially this month as we celebrate those who fight and have fought!
Thank you for sharing this information. My mom’s family has breast cancer in it so my sisters and I have to be very careful with our testing. I love that this test is so easy!
I am one of those 85% of women. I found out I have breast cancer last year and was shocked. It was never something that a family member had. I urge women to get their mammograms and to be educated.
Such an informative post. I had no idea it was so easy to test!
I lost my mother to breast cancer almost 4 years ago so this is an important issue to me. I have my first mammo scheduled for next month as well. Thank you for sharing this!
This is great information. Listening to your body will help; early detection will definitely save your life.
Yes, it is important to listen to our bodies. I know that I get so busy that it is easy to push aside.
Thanks for sharing. I lost an aunt to breast cancer and have a dear friend currently battling stage 4. I go for my first mammogram this month. I would have put it off b/c its a new procedure, but I know the value of getting it done early!
Roxanne, I am so sorry for your loss, and I am seeing some prayers up for your friend. Yes, we need to be proactive! I am glad to hear that you are getting your first mammogram. Good luck with that! It’s fast and the squeeze is worth it.
Cancer sucks period. I had a scare a couple years ago & they are still watching it but it is so important to get checked as it could save your life!
I am so glad that you are being proactive and getting checked regularly. It saves lives! Yes, cancer really, really sucks!
What a bundle of information. We need to all be vigilant!
Yes, we should be our best advocates.
probably not enough! I go to the dr regularly because I have some aggravating health issues (allergies/asthma) , which makes me tend to forget to go to other doctors!
Honestly we all have so many demands on our time that it is so easy to push our own health care aside. If something isn’t dragging us down – we don’t tend to think about it. Allergies and asthma can be very demanding.
Great interview about a very important health issue, thank you for helping to raise awareness x
I am glad you enjoyed the interview. I enjoy talking with experts in their fields. I always learn so much.
Thank you for promoting this. it’s so important for us to take care of ourselves.
Yes, we all need to be proactive when it comes to our health care.
I lost my stepmother to breast cancer three years ago, so breast cancer is something that is very close to my heart. Thank you for sharing this, it’s very important to be tested and cautious!
Jasmine, I am so sorry for your loss. Cancer has taken loved ones from so many. We all need to be proactive.
Thanks for sharing this. Taking care of ourselves is so important. As moms it’s hard to put our health last but really we need to put it first.
You are so right about not always putting ourselves first – it’s hard! There are always so many demands on our time. Selfcare has been my goal this year.
A cheek swab? That couldn’t be any easier! (and a spa day sounds heavenly)
A very easy test!