We are three sisters Bilena A., Leila A and Heyab A. We started our foundation after witnessing our two aunts die at early age from breast cancer. After careful research, we concluded that the best way to prevent breast cancer is awareness, regular self exam and early intervention as early as teen age years rather than the status quo of the 30’. The focus is early habits of self exam tend to be life long. Early intervention will save many lives.
What do cancerous breast lumps feel like? This is the main missing link. What are young women looking for? We have come up with breast exam models that can be shared so that students in high school and colleges can feel and become familiar what a breast lump feels like at different stages. We believe that this sensory input is permanent. As teenagers become young women and older, they “know” what to feel for. Because, we made it possible at such a young age. We would like to have these breast models in every high school and college in the USA. We ask young women to spread the word. We will provide the models as long as the recipient pays for shipping and deposit and safe return of the models. We also raise money through the sale of our mugs with logos so we can make more breast models available.
Breast cancer Briefly and our mission
Although breast cancer is rarely diagnosed in teens, a small number of patients – less than 2 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute – are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 34. CDC confirms about 287,500 are diagnosed every year. 2% of 287,500 or 5750 is too many young innocent women.
Because the risk of developing breast cancer as women age is higher, teenagers and young adults generally do need to be concerned and educated in prevention, early detection and regularly self breast exams.
Teen age years is an ideal time to establish healthy habits, such as avoiding tobacco products and exercising regularly, which can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in the future. If a teenager or young adult discovers a small lump in his or her breast tissue, even if, these lumps are almost always benign (noncancerous), and are usually caused by normal hormonal fluctuations or infections, they must be evaluated by a physician and obtain a mammogram. DONOT let physicians minimize a lump due to age. Noncancerous lumps that develop in younger individuals often go away on their own. However, if a teenager or young adult notices any of the following, he or she is advised to make an immediate appointment with a physician:
The breast tissue starts to hurt (and the pain is not the ordinary soreness that accompanies a menstrual period, if female)
The breast becomes swollen, reddish in color or hot to the touch
The nipple begins to secrete a liquid or bloody discharge
The lump spreads to the armpit or collarbone
Patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer as teenagers or young adults often have a wide range of treatment options, as they are typically healthy enough to tolerate even the most aggressive therapies. As a result, survival outcomes are often high for young breast cancer patients.
Our mission is dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis and improving outcomes for patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer early on in life.