This month makes it 10 years since I became a licensed Occupational Therapist. During the last year of my schooling, I had to complete various internships in different settings. One of these settings was an acute care rehabilitation unit in a hospital. It was here that I treated knee replacements, hip fractures, debility, and cancer patients amongst other diagnoses. I will never forget the two cancer patients I had during this time. I worked with a 34-year-old mother of two diagnosed with B cell lymphoma and a 45-year-old lady who was dealing with breast cancer that metastasized to her spine and lymph nodes.
The younger of the two was very weak and was giving up before she even started rehabbing. The patient dealing with Breast Cancer was a fighter who worked with me, but she had spasms that were constant. These spasms limited her movement and ability to participate further because they were painful. She also had to wear a back brace. The one that is typical for someone with serious spinal injuries. After her time on the unit ended, she was transferred to a subacute/skilled nursing facility. I wish I was able to keep in touch to see her journey and whether she made it to the other side with remission. This was my first and only experience with someone actively dealing with breast cancer and I will never forget it.
As you all may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In this time, it has been reported that the number of deaths has decreased. But the number of people diagnosed has increased and the age of diagnosis has decreased. There are 85% of people who are diagnosed without having a family history. So, it’s very important to do self-checks and well as go for regular mammograms after the age of 40. Here are some statistics that are very important to helping combat the numbers…
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the U.S.
- There is a 1 in 8 chance for a woman to be diagnosed.
- Black women have the highest death rate partially due to more cases of the triple-negative type
- The age if diagnosis is slightly lower for Black women as compared to white women by up to 4 years.
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in Hispanic women.
- Asian and Pacific Islander women have the lowest death rates.
- There is a 1 in 726 chance for a male being diagnosed with breast cancer.
- About 9% of new cases happen in women younger than 45 years old.
- The risk for developing this cancer doubles if a first line relative has been diagnosed before.
In this month, let’s continue to educate ourselves on this in hopes of earlier detection. Encourage the women around you to get regular mammograms. Encourage the men around you to do self-checks especially if they have more tissue in the chest area. Find ways to give and support at the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.