Your body tells a story. Do you know how to listen to it?
🎀 October is ending. Your self-care should not 🎀
October is coming to an end. Throughout the month, we've seen pink ribbons, awareness campaigns, and stories of courage. But one question deserves to stay with us:
What about the other eleven months of the year?
Between work, family, and caring for everyone else, how often do we put our own health last?
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, AyandaBio invites you to turn awareness into a commitment that lasts all year.
Do you know the signals your body gives you?
Our bodies rarely communicate in just one way. Sometimes, through visible changes. Other times, through persistent fatigue, discomfort, pain, changes in the skin, or seemingly minor signs.
A new lump, changes in breast shape, changes in the skin, or unexpected nipple discharge deserve medical attention, even when there is no pain.
Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel helps you recognise changes, but it does not replace mammograms. The age at which screening begins and its frequency depend on your individual risk and the recommendations in the country where you live. If you notice a concerning change, don't wait until your next scheduled screening.
Genetics tells part of the story. Not the whole story
When the topic is breast cancer risk, many people immediately think of family history. Family history matters, but it doesn't explain everything.
According to the World Health Organization, most breast cancers occur in women with no known family history of the disease. This means that having no cases in your family does not eliminate your risk.
On the other hand, certain inherited genetic changes can significantly increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer and other types of cancer. Among the best-known are variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genes help repair damaged DNA. When certain inherited changes are present, that repair process may be compromised.
Even so, having a genetic predisposition does not mean the disease will necessarily develop. It means there may be an increased risk that deserves appropriate medical guidance and more informed decisions.
Genetics should be seen as a large piece of the puzzle. Not the entire picture.
And what does epigenetics teach us?
Genetics looks at the sequence of our DNA. Epigenetics explores something different: how our habits and lifestyle can regulate gene activity without changing that DNA sequence.
One simple way to imagine this is to think of DNA as a library. Genes are the books. Epigenetics helps us understand which books are more accessible, which pages are read more often, and which sections remain quieter in certain circumstances.
Research has identified epigenetic changes involved in the development of breast cancer. This field has grown considerably because it helps us better understand how healthy cells can change over time and develop abnormal behaviours.
But it's important to approach this science responsibly.
Science shows us that our everyday choices can influence our health throughout life. Habits such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol consumption are associated with important health benefits, including a reduced risk of breast cancer.
Our genetics are part of our story, but the choices we make also have a role to play.
Our challenge for the next eleven months
You don't have to change your entire life. Start with three simple steps:
Know your history. Talk to your family, on both your mother's and father's sides, about any history of cancer.
Listen to your body. Don't ignore changes, and keep up with recommended screenings.
Share knowledge. A conversation with a friend, sister, or colleague can make a difference.
PS: not all women have the same access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Information is essential, but so is access to healthcare.
A ribbon is a symbol. Caring is an action.
When October ends, pink ribbons will disappear from many shop windows and social media posts. But your health will still deserve attention.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is powerful because it creates space for important conversations. But that commitment shouldn't be limited to the calendar.
When the month ends, our bodies will still need attention. There will still be appointments to schedule, questions to answer, family histories to explore, and people who need reminding that they deserve care too.
AyandaBio's message as October draws to a close is clear: awareness is a beginning, not an endpoint.
Our bodies tell a story shaped by genetics, environment, habits, experiences, unspoken concerns, and physical signals. Not everything is within our control. But some choices can bring us closer to better knowledge, appropriate care, and greater peace of mind.
Listening to your body doesn't mean living in fear. It means giving it time, attention, and the care it deserves.
May the pink ribbon be more than a symbol of October. May it serve as a reminder throughout the year that taking care of yourself matters too.
At AyandaBio, we believe knowledge becomes truly meaningful when it is transformed into conscious choices. So, here's our challenge:
Don't wait for the next Pink October to remember yourself.
Because Pink October is a month. Your health deserves all twelve.
This text is informative and does not replace medical advice. In case of doubt, the safest step is to talk to a health professional.
Referencias
Kim, J., et al. (2024). Geospatial disparities in survival of patients with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa from the African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes cohort (ABC-DO): A prospective cohort study. The Lancet Global Health, 12(7), e1111–e1119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00138-4
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). BRCA gene changes: Cancer risk and genetic testing.https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet
Prabhu, K. S., et al. (2024). Beyond genetics: Exploring the role of epigenetic alterations in breast cancer. Pathology Research and Practice, 254, 155174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2024.155174
US Preventive Services Task Force. (2024). Breast cancer: Screening.https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
World Cancer Research Fund International. (n.d.). Preventing breast cancer. https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/cancer-types/breast-cancer/preventing/
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Breast cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer
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