Supporting Breast Cancer in Awareness 2022! Hoffman Law Firm remains committed to supporting breast cancer survivors, painting its columns pink each year in a show of solidarity. You might have caught a glimpse as you cruised down Rivers Avenue, but if not, keep an eye out!
If you have been injured, we would love for you to stop by – not only to check out our eye-catching paint job, but to get a free consultation! Our personal injury attorneys are standing by to learn more about your accident.
Interested in helping our team raise breast cancer awareness in 2022? Please join Hoffman Law Firm in supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation today!
Are Some People at a Higher Risk for Breast Cancer?
Those with a strong family history of breast cancer face a higher risk of developing it themselves. Changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, for instance, may be passed down – and can indicate a high risk. These genetic markers may also point to an increased risk for ovarian cancer.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk. Some potential methods may include surgery, medications that block or decrease estrogen, and more.
Common Risk Factors That Are Beyond Your Control
While some lifestyle changes can help reduce your odds of becoming a breast cancer patient, there are some risk factors that you have no control over. These risk factors include the following:
Age
The risk for breast cancer increases as you age, with most breast cancer patients diagnosed after age 50.
Genetic Mutations
Women who have inherited mutations to certain genes, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Reproductive History
Women who begin menstruating before age 12 and start menopause after age 55 are exposed to hormones for a longer period of time, which boosts their risk of developing breast cancer.
Dense Breasts
Because dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, it is often harder to see tumors on a mammogram.
Previous Breast Cancer Survivors
A personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases increases the chance of getting breast cancer a second time.
Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer
A woman’s risk is higher if her first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side have had breast or ovarian cancer. In fact, having a first-degree male relative with breast cancer can also raise the risk.
Radiation Therapy
Women who have had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts before age 30 face a higher risk of becoming a breast cancer patient later in life.
Dangerous Prescription Drugs
Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a drug given to pregnant women in the U.S. between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, increases the risk as well. This applies to the women who took DES as well as their children.
Common Risk Factors That Improve with Lifestyle Changes
These risk factors can be reduced by making modifications to your diet and lifestyle:
Lack of Exercise
A sedentary lifestyle can boost your risk of developing breast cancer, so increasing physical activity is crucial.
Overweight/ Obesity
Older women who are overweight or obese face a higher risk than those who maintain a healthy weight.
Consuming Prescription Hormones
Some forms of hormone replacement therapy (those that include both estrogen and progesterone) taken during menopause can raise risk for breast cancer when taken for more than five years. Certain birth control pills have also been linked to an increased risk.
Reproductive History
Women who got pregnant for the first time after age 30, did not breastfeed, or never carried a baby to term may face a higher risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol Usage
Research shows a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, with the risk increasing the more a woman drinks.
Other
Smoking and exposure to toxic chemicals have also been shown to cause cancer, along with other hormone fluctuations.
Breast Cancer Awareness in 2022 | Where Can I Get Breast Cancer Screening in Charleston, SC?
Prevention saves lives, with routine breast cancer screenings making a dent in the lives lost. To find out where to get a breast cancer screening in the Charleston, SC area, contact your primary care physician.
Here are some local medical centers in Charleston, SC offering breast cancer screenings:
MUSC Health – Hollings Cancer Center
Breast Specialist Available
86 Jonathan Lucas St
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-8439
Breast Specialist Available
2145 Henry Tecklenburg Dr.
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 402-5000
Schedule your appointment online
Breast Specialist Available
9313 Medical Plaza Dr.
Suite 201
Charleston, SC 29406
877-357-0156
Schedule your appointment online
Hoffman Law Firm Fights Year-Round
Our columns will return to their normal color next month, but the lawyers at Hoffman Law Firm are here to help year-round! If you have been injured in an accident, do not hesitate to reach out! Our team is ready to learn more about your personal injury case and to start a trusted attorney-client relationship. Get in touch today to schedule your free consultation!
Our personal injury law firm offers trusted legal representation in a wide variety of cases here in the Lowcountry, including:
Personal injury
Car Accident
Truck Accident
Motorcycle Accident
Workers’ Comp
Wrongful Death
Longshoreman & Maritime
Medical Malpractice
Dog Bite
Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Nursing Home Abuse
Other Helpful Community Involvement Blogs:
Pretty in Pink: Hoffman Law Firm Creates Awareness for Breast Cancer 2021
Think Pink: Hoffman Law Firm Raises Awareness 2020
A Sponsorship Worthy of the Spotlight
Additional Platforms Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness:
Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Now
Breast Cancer.Org
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Medical Disclaimer
Any medical information referred to in or through our site is given as information only and is not intended:
- as medical diagnosis or treatment
- to replace consultation with a qualified medical practitioner
- to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider
We strongly suggest you consult a healthcare professional for specific advice about your situation.