Bright Pink Lipstick Day on 17th September is all about encouraging people to know their breast and ovarian cancer family risk. By joining in, fundraising, and/ or by wearing your favourite pink lipstick and sharing it on social media, you will help to start that conversation.
Wear a lipstick that you have, or Pink Hope have launched a range of inclusive, vegan luxury Pink Hope lipsticks which is available through their online store. All proceeds will go towards the amazing work that they do.
Often when it comes to cancer, the most common reaction is “Oh, that won’t happen to me”. However, it’s currently estimated that one in 8 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The good news, though, is that the overall five-year survival rate for breast cancer in females is 91%. So, what can you do to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Here are six steps for every woman to take, starting today.
1. Know Your body
While regular health check-ups are recommended (and essential) you know your body the most… after all you spend all day, every day in it! So, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s a good idea to get it checked out. The best way to make sure you’re on top of this is to do regular self-check breast exams. That way you’ll be able to tell if anything seems different. And don’t be afraid to get a second opinion if you don’t agree with what your doctor says, we all have to be our own health advocates.
2. Understand Your Risk
It’s believed 5% of cancers occur because of genetic mutations that can be hereditary. To find out if you might be at risk of carrying a mutated gene, speak to your family. Map out a family health tree, on both sides of your family, to see if there are any overarching health concerns you should talk to your doctor about. And if you’re concerned about a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, you can look into genetic testing.
3. Exercise Regularly
Living an unhealthy lifestyle affects our overall health and wellbeing and may increase the risk of several types of cancer. So, one of the easiest ways to reduce that risk is to include exercise in your day-to-day life. Doing regular exercise can also reduce the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. As a general rule, Australian adults should try to be active most days, preferably every day. And yes, running around after messy toddlers definitely counts!
4. Drink More (and Less)
To reduce your risk of breast cancer it’s important to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. In our body, alcohol is converted into a toxic chemical that damages our DNA and increases the risk of mouth, throat, oesophagus, bowel, liver and female breast cancer. And it doesn’t matter what type of alcohol you drink; your cancer risk is the same. It’s also really important to be hydrated and to drink enough water to flush your system out regularly.
5. Quit Smoking
It’s never too late to quit smoking. Smoking is one of the largest causes of preventable disease and death in Australia. The statistics are frightening – more than 10,000 Australians are diagnosed with smoking-related cancer every year. By quitting, you’ll also reduce your chance of around 18 different cancers, heart disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, stroke, type 2 diabetes, asthma and more. Even if you don’t smoke, it’s important to avoid breathing in other people’s cigarette smoke and that can also increase your risk of cancer.
Share the message
The best way to reduce your risk is to educate yourself and those around you. Share the benefits of self-check breast exams and knowing your family history. Bright Pink Lipstick Day is coming up this week and it’s a great way to spread the message to your friends and family.
By buying a lipstick from the Pink Hope charity, or simply wearing your pinkest lippy on the 17th September, and sharing it on social media, you’ll be joining a community of like-minded women taking charge of their own health. (Don’t forget to use #brightpinklipstickday and #thislipstickcan to show your support.)
Stats of breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. In 2021 alone, it is estimated that 19,866 women and 164 men in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer. That equates to 1 in 7 women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The aim of Bright Pink Lipstick Day is to encourage Australians to facilitate conversations around their own health, especially around hereditary cancers.
#brightpinklipstickday and #thislipstickcan
Web link: https://www.pinkhope.org.au/shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkhopeaus/
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