5 things you need to know about breast cancer

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MJ Jenkins joined us on Good Day LA to share five things you need to know.

She is a breast cancer survivor and American Cancer Society spokesperson.

1: Early detection is not a cure

"Approximately 20 to 30 percent of those with early breast cancer are later diagnosed with metastatic disease. Even if you've had breast cancer, you are not in the clear."

2: Not all breast cancer is created equal.

"Shop around when you are choosing your doctors I recommend meeting with three to four doctors and get second opinions. People spend more time getting bids on doing over their new kitchen than they do when choosing their doctors. Be your own ADVOCATE. HUGE advancements in Radiation Treatment…check out Intra-Operative Radiation done ONE TIME during your surgery."

3: Exercise lowers your risk. Be accountable.

"American Institute of Cancer Research found physical activity beneficial for BOTH pre-and post-menopausal breast cancers. In studies, women and especially young women who were most active have a 17% lower risk and post-menopausal women had a 10% lower risk."

4: NEW News in NUTRITION

"Food and Drug Administration now requires SUGARS and those hidden ADDED SUGARS to be listed on the LABEL. Read your labels. Sugar contributes to Obesity and Obesity is a leading factor to cancer. Sugars feed cancer tumors. Drinking alcohol (sugars) increases your risk."

5: Not just your grandma's disease
"18% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 will be under the age of 50. Even if you test negative for the Hereditary BRCA1 Gene, you still could have hereditary breast cancer, even your sons."

There are several Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks coming up in Southern California:

-10/14 in Ventura

-10/15 in San Diego

-10/21 in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo

-10/22 in Orange County (click here to purchase tickets to a special brunch immediately following the walk)

-10/28 in Santa Monica and Bakersfield

More at thinknopink.com.