Category: women’s health, pregnancy and childbirth

Observing Domestic Violence Awareness

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the need for awareness and action against domestic violence. It is vital to recognize signs of abuse and offer support to victims. Resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline are crucial for safety and recovery. Community involvement and education play key roles in prevention efforts. Get educated and involved by reading and sharing this post.

If you know or suspect you are in a domestic violence situation, and this page is visible to your abuser right now, continue reading this post only if you can do so privately. If not, close the device and clear your browser.

Health issues are usually not the major concerns when it comes to elections, but they are related to the major issues, like the cost of living, taxes, and crime.

Among the major campaign issues are health-related concerns, including women’s reproductive care, gun violence, opioid addiction and deaths, mental health crises, and the cost of healthcare.

So it is appropriate that we highlight awareness of two major health issues, one I reviewed earlier this month and one in this post.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

thehotline.org

A Day of Unity

First observed in October 1981 as a national “Day of Unity,” Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence.

Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it, uplift survivor stories and provide additional resources to leaders and policymakers.

What is Domestic Violence?

Also called intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, or relationship abuse, It can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship. Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, cause fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish, or force them to behave in ways they do not want.

Domestic violence is a global problem. According to WHO, the World Health Organization,

  • Over a quarter of women aged 15–49 years have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.
  • The prevalence estimates of lifetime intimate partner violence range from 20% in the Western Pacific, 22% in high-income countries and Europe,25% in the WHO Regions of the Americas to over 30% in the WHO African region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and the South-East Asia region.
  • Globally as many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners and 6% of women report having been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner, although data are more limited.
  • Intimate partner and sexual violence are mostly perpetrated by men against women.

(WHO info edited for length)

(Please note that PDF embeds will display on a computer, but most phone and tablet browsers won’t display embedded PDFs.)

2206-Hotline-postcard_digitalDownload

How to identify abuse

  • One feature shared by most abusive relationships is that the abusive partner tries to establish or gain power and control through many different methods at different moments. Examples include, but are not limited to
  • Telling you that you never do anything right.
  • Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
  • Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with others, particularly friends, family members, or peers.
  • Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
  • Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
  • Controlling finances in the household without discussion, such as taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
  • Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
  • Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
  • Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.

What to do if you are in an abusive situation

The most immediate need is to ensure your safety and the safety of your children or other dependents.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

The Hotline is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by grants from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department. Available 24/7 you can

Also search for Local Resources on the website.

The website has detailed instructions for creating a personal safety plan.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after you leave.

Abuse-is-never-okay_Hotline-Mirror-ClingDownload

How to help victims and survivors

Even after escaping an abusive situation, those affected need time and help to heal and move forward. If you are not a victim or survivor, you likely know someone who is, or will be. Here are suggestions on how to help.

Educate yourself about the forms of abuse and about your local resources to help victims.

Listen without judgment, be supportive of their decisions, be a trusted friend. Be willing to listen without giving advice unless requested. Don’t assume you would have acted differently in their situation.

Encourage professional support. There should be no stigma to seeking help from trained professionals, just like any other health condition.

Advocate for change in your community, support local resources, fundraisers, and education. Consider volunteering at a shelter. Support local officials who make domestic violence prevention a priority.

An easy way to help is to donate your old electronics like cell phones, laptops, and video game systems for resale.  The National Domestic Violence Hotline receives a portion of the funds furthering The Hotline’s programming and projects that support victims and survivors of domestic violence and the advocates and allies that support them.

Here is another shareable resource written with a faith-based perspective.

Faith-Based-Tip-Sheet-For-members-and-helpers_2024Download

Exploring the HEART of Health

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share this post. By sharing this vital information, you may be saving someone’s life.

Please share in the comments your experiences helping domestic abuse victims or your own experience at surviving abuse, but only if you can do so safely without revealing personal information that might endanger someone’s safety.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Observing Breast Cancer Awareness

In October, awareness of breast cancer is highlighted. This common cancer affects both women and men, with various types identified. Risk factors include age, genetics, and lifestyle. Early detection and preventive measures can significantly improve outcomes, emphasizing the need for education and support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Health issues are usually not the major concerns when it comes to elections, but they are related to the major issues, like the cost of living, taxes, and crime.

Among the major campaign issues are health-related concerns, including women’s reproductive care, gun violence, opioid addiction and deaths, mental health crises, and the cost of healthcare.

So it is appropriate that in October awareness of two major health issues are observed. This post highlights one of them, breast cancer.

Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

This information is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider to decide what is right for you.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast change and grow out of control. The cells usually form a tumor.

Sometimes the cancer does not spread any further. This is called “in situ.” Cancer that spreads outside the breast is called “invasive.” It may spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes or metastasize through the lymph system or the blood, spreading to other sites in the body.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States. It can also affect men.

What are the types of breast cancer?

There are different types of breast cancer. The types are based on which breast cells turn into cancer. The types include:

  • Ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts, is the most common type.
  • Lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules, is more often found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer.
  • Inflammatory breast cancer has cancer cells that block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. In this rare type, the breast becomes warm, red, and swollen.
  • Paget’s disease of the breast, is a rare cancer involving the skin of the nipple and the darker skin around the nipple. It is also rare.

What causes breast cancer?

Breast cancer happens when there are changes in the genetic material (DNA). Often, the exact cause of these genetic changes is unknown.

In some women, these genetic changes are inherited. Breast cancer caused by inherited genetic changes is called hereditary breast cancer.

Some genetic changes raise your risk of breast cancer, including changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and also increase your risk of ovarian and other cancers.

Besides genetics, your lifestyle and the environment can affect your risk of breast cancer.

Who is at risk for breast cancer?

  • Older age
  • History of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
  • Inherited risk of breast cancer, including having BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene changes
  • Dense breast tissue
  • A reproductive history that leads to more exposure to the estrogen hormone, including
    • Menstruating at an early age
    • Being at an older age when you first gave birth or never having given birth
    • Starting menopause at a later age
  • Taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
  • Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
  • Obesity
  • Drinking alcohol

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

  • A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit.
  • A change in the size or shape of the breast.
  • A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast. It may look like the skin of an orange.
  • A nipple turned inward into the breast.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk. The discharge might happen suddenly, be bloody, or happen in only one breast.
  • Scaly, red, or swollen skin in the nipple area or the breast
  • Pain in any area of the breast.
a mammogram image
a mammogram revealing a breast cancer image source- National Library of Medicine, Open-i

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Your health care provider may use many tools to diagnose breast cancer and figure out which type you have:

  • A clinical breast exam, checking for lumps or anything else that seems unusual with the breasts and armpits.
  • Imaging tests, such as a mammogram, an ultrasound, or an MRI.
  • Breast biopsy.

If cancer is diagnosed, you need tests that study the cancer cells so your physician can decide which treatment is best for you.

  • Genetic tests for genetic changes such as in the BRCA and TP53 genes.
  • HER2 test. HER2 is a protein involved with cell growth, on the outside of all breast cells. If your breast cancer cells have more HER2 than normal, they can grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
  • An estrogen and progesterone receptor test measuring the amount of estrogen and progesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer tissue. If there are more receptors than normal, the cancer is called estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive, may grow more quickly.

Staging involves doing tests to find out whether the cancer has spread within the breast or to other parts of the body. The tests may include other diagnostic imaging tests and a sentinel lymph node biopsy to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

What are the treatments for breast cancer?

  • A lumpectomy to remove just the cancerous lump
  • A mastectomy to remove the entire breast
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy, which blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow
  • Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells
  • Immunotherapy

Breast cancer death rates declined 42% from 1989
to 2021 among women. The progress is attributed
to improvements in early detection and treatments.

American Cancer Society

Can breast cancer be prevented?

You may be able to help prevent breast cancer by making healthy lifestyle changes that help lower your risk of breast cancer.

  • Staying at a healthy weight
  • Limiting alcohol use
  • Getting enough exercise
  • Limiting your exposure to estrogen
  • Breastfeeding
  • Preventive medications for women at high risk
  • Preventive mastectomy, also for high-risk
  • Mammograms-not to prevent cancer but may prevent death if cancer is caught in an early, easier to treat stage

Adapted from NIH: National Cancer Institute

CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammograms to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured. Find out if you qualify.

Get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and access resources for education and support for those with breast cancer. Visit the

National Breast Cancer Foundation

Bring Your Brave Campaign

CDC launched Bring Your Brave in 2015 to provide information about breast cancer to women younger than age 45. The campaign tells real stories about young women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. These stories about prevention, risk, family history, and survivorship bring to life the idea that young women can be personally affected by breast cancer.

Through these testimonials, Bring Your Brave aims to inspire young women to learn their risk for breast cancer, talk with their health care provider about their risk, and live a healthy lifestyle.

For more information

Exploring the HEART of Health

I hope you have learned something about breast cancer that motivates you to guard your health. If you are a breast cancer survivor I invite you to share your story in the comments, your experiences can help someone else.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

I reviewed a book written by a cancer doctor and breast cancer survivor, Dr. Lori Leifer. Read it at this link.

After You Hear It’s Cancer-a book review

“After You Hear It’s Cancer” by Dr. Lori Leifer and John Leifer offers a comprehensive guide for navigating cancer diagnosis and treatment. Drawing on personal experiences, the authors provide practical advice on various stages of cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment challenges, along with resources for support and advocacy.

Keep reading

Dr. Aletha