Awareness is the key to initiating and understanding about self-care.
According to the National Cancer Institute, in Brazil there will be about 66,280 new cases of breast cancer in 2021, with an estimated 61 cases per 100,000 women, on average. About the cancer cases for men, according to the Ministry of Health, prostate cancer is responsible for the death of 28.6% of the male population who develop malignant neoplasms. This means that in Brazil, every 38 minutes, on average, a man loses his life due to this pathology.
During the months of October and November, campaigns to combat breast cancer and prostate cancer are linked to raise awareness among men and women about the risks of these diseases and encourage them to see doctors regularly in order to make early diagnoses, which can save lives.
Addressing this issue is essential for the massive spread of information, because these are “silent” diseases in their early stages, causing many people not to notice the signs that these diseases usually present, generating a delay in discovery and treatment.
According to the Brazilian Federation of Philanthropic Institutions for Breast Health Support (FEMAMA), if a woman is diagnosed early, the chances of cure from breast cancer can reach 95%. The success rates are similar for prostate cancer.
Zilia prioritizes the health of its employees and supports the practice of actions to raise awareness about the importance of this cause.
During October 26 and 27, the Zilia Atibaia unit provided its collaborators with a health station, counting on two nurses and two support assistants to voluntarily collect data from each collaborator, and thus measure their health index and some practices to care for their diet and daily exercises. In Manaus, Zilia was able to give the collaborators two lectures on the themes of Pink October and Blue November and the ways of taking care of oneself and getting diagnoses as early as possible.
The collaborators participated actively, wearing the cause’s shirt and taking souvenirs as reminders of these actions.
Learn how breast and prostate cancer develop
Originating from an abnormality in the development and multiplication of cells present in the breasts, breast cancer presents initial symptoms such as: lump in the breasts that may or may not be painless, skin in this region with an orange peel appearance and small balls under the arm.
According to the Ministry of Health, breast self-examination, performed by the woman herself by feeling her breasts, helps in the knowledge of her own body, however, this test does not replace the clinical examination of the breasts performed by a trained health professional.
Prostate cancer also acts in a silent and little alarming way and manifests itself in the gland that is part of the male reproductive system. Briefly, it can present symptoms such as pain when urinating, bone discomfort, and the presence of blood in the urine when it is already in a more advanced stage.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the only way to ensure a cure for prostate cancer is early diagnosis. Even in the absence of symptoms, men over 45 with risk factors, or 50 without these factors, should see a urologist to talk about the rectal examination, which allows the doctor to assess changes in the gland, such as hardening and the presence of suspicious nodules, and the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.
Paying attention to the history of these two types of cancer in the family is also an excellent alternative to take additional care of your health, and thus to have more frequent routine exams that help diagnose the pathologies.
Regularly practicing physical activities, quitting smoking, and eating a diet rich in good foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes are also ways to reduce the chances of developing the disease.
It is essential to insert into the routine beneficial habits that prevent this and other health problems, in addition to seeking a doctor whenever there is any suspicion of the disease.
