Pink Alliance is an amazing non-profit in the Brazos Valley that serves as an advocate for breast health and cancer support by:
• Providing reliable, informative resources
• Inspiring hope through individual and group support
• Offering access to medical treatments for those with limited means.
Pink Alliance accomplishes its mission by working in concert with community partners including but not limited to Baylor Scott & White Health, St. Joseph Health, Cancer Clinic, Health for All, Healthpoint, Medi-Care Equipment Specialties, P&H Services and the Texas A&M Health Science Center, among other businesses and health care affiliates.
More about Pink Alliance can be found here: https://pinkalliance.org/
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.
The American Cancer Society's estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2024 are:
- About 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
- About 56,500 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
- About 42,250 women will die from breast cancer.
Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. This means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger when they are diagnosed. A very small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45.
There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But there are steps you can take that might lower your risk.
Get to and stay at a healthy weight
Both increased body weight and weight gain as an adult are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause. The American Cancer Society recommends you stay at a healthy weight throughout your life and avoid excess weight gain by balancing your food intake with physical activity.
Be physically active
Many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk, so it’s important to get regular physical activity.
The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week. Getting to or exceeding the upper limit of 300 minutes is ideal.
Moderate activity is anything that makes you breathe as hard as you do during a brisk walk. It causes a slight increase in heart rate and breathing. You should be able to talk, but not sing during the activity.
Vigorous activity is an activity performed at a higher intensity. Vigorous activities cause an increased heart rate, sweating, and a faster breathing rate.
Avoid or limit alcohol
Alcohol increases risk of breast cancer. Even drinking small amounts of alcohol has been linked with an increase in risk. It is best not to drink alcohol at all. For women who do drink, they should have no more than 1 alcoholic drink a day. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (hard liquor).
Consider other factors that might lower your risk
Women who choose to breastfeed for at least several months after childbirth may also get an added benefit of reducing their breast cancer risk.
Using hormone therapy after menopause can increase your risk of breast cancer. To avoid this, talk to your health care provider about non-hormonal options to treat menopausal symptoms.
Breast Cancer Support Group
Pink Alliance offers a safe, inviting environment that allows breast cancer patients and survivors to share feelings and concerns, and receive emotional support through small group discussion.
Meetings feature guest speakers on special interest topics for breast cancer patients and provide practical advice, information, and publications.
Meetings are FREE and open to all breast cancer patients and survivors within the Brazos Valley, regardless of where they are receiving or received treatment. No pre-registration is required.
For more information on this valuable service, go here: https://pinkalliance.org/group