In honor of breast cancer awareness month, I've partnered up with Susan G. Komen to help spread the word of their Know Your Girls campaign.

As a woman, and as someone who has lost loved ones to breast cancer, I encourage you all to get breast screenings regularly. I also want to share with you the importance of reading up on risk factors that can contribute to something that affects millions of women every year.

With that said, I kindly ask that you get informed, take action and know your girls. Visit KnowYourGirls.org/GetInformation to learn more and take charge of your breast health!

Below is more information on risk factors provided by Susan G. Komen, for you to read over and get informed.

KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS
Everyone is at risk of breast cancer - but some of us are at a higher risk than others. Our risk depends on our unique combination of risk factors. A risk factor is anything that affects risk, for better or worse. Understanding our risk factors means we can get on a screening schedule with our doctors and take other actions to stay on top of our breast health.

• AGE - The older you are, the higher your risk of breast cancer. Age is one big factor in what screening tests you get, and how often. That said, it's never too early to get on top of your breast health and learn about all your risk factors. Even women in their 20s can get breast cancer and Black women are more likely to get it at a younger age.

• EXERCISE - Exercising regularly lowers your risk of breast and other types of cancer. What you do doesn't need to be intense or time-consuming. Even physical activity like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, biking short distances instead of driving or parking farther away when you drive to the store can make a difference.

• HEALTH HISTORY - Health issues you or your relatives have had in the past may mean you have a higher risk of breast cancer. If you've ever had cancer, or if you've had breast conditions including hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), your doctor may recommend earlier and more frequent screening. Same if one or more members of your mother's or father's families have had breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.

• FIRST PERIOD - The younger you were when you had your first period, the higher your risk of breast cancer. If you were younger than 12 when your period started, your risk of breast cancer is about 20 percent higher compared to people whose period started after age 14.

• GENES - Certain changes in our genes that can pass from parent to child, a.k.a. inherited gene mutations, can increase our cancer risk. The best-known genes linked to breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. About 1 in 400 people in the U.S. have a mutation in one or both. If you know you have a mutation, you can take action to reduce your risk and take extra care of your breast health.

• ALCOHOL - The more you drink, the higher your risk of breast cancer. Even 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day can increase your risk by 20 percent. Drinking in moderation may have health benefits in terms of heart diseased and high blood pressure. A good guideline is not to have more than 1 drink per day (or 2 for males) to protect your breast health.

• BREAST DENSITY - If you're one of the roughly half of women with dense breasts, your risk of breast cancer is 4-5 times higher. This isn't about how dense your breasts feel - it's about how they look on a mammogram. Your doctor can help you figure out your breast density and what screening methods and schedule are best for you.

• BREAST CHANGES - Texture. Color. Sudden discharge. Itching or pain. If you or your partner have noticed a change in your breasts, nipples or underarms, get it checked out by your doctor ASAP. In most cases, changes are harmless, but it's always worth finding out for sure. In cases when a change in your breast is a sign of cancer, the sooner the cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better your chance of survival.

xo, Your Girl Jess