Please go to our website to read how Gambling may affect a woman’s ability to care for her preventative needs.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do not neglect your health. Get Screened Today.
Women experiencing gambling related problems often engage in other risky behaviors like alcohol, smoking and illicit substance use. These are all behaviors that are risk factors for breast cancer. Gamblers will sometimes neglect preventative care. Women who gamble also do so to numb pain or chronic health issues such as a diagnosis of breast cancer, what we call “escape gamblers”. This hidden addiction can often go unnoticed as more women are able to gamble online in their homes, on mobile devices, or even buying lottery while grocery shopping. Women with breast cancer are also at risk for depression and might be prescribed medications such as Rexulti and Abilify; that may cause uncontrollable urges to gamble according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Be aware of the Signs:
- Neglect of self-care
- Neglect filling prescription as needed
- Neglect going to doctor’s appointment as needed
- Neglect of following recommended screening guidelines (mammograms)
- Fatigue due to loss of sleep
- Irritability
Gamble Responsibly
- Play for entertainment!
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose!
- Set money and time limits and stick to them!
- Do not gamble while drinking excessively!
- Do not chase your losses!
- Do not gamble to avoid pain or problems!
- Do not gamble if you are lonely, upset, depressed, tired or angry!
Help is Available
- Call for help 24 hours per day, 7 days per week – 800-GAMBLER and speak with a gambling helpline staff member (All calls are confidential)
- Text ‘800GAMBLER’ to 800GAMBLER
- Visit www.800gambler.org for information, resources, or live chat
- Attend a Gamblers Anonymous (GA) or Gam-Anon meeting in your area; meeting locations, times, and dates can be found by calling 800-GAMBLER or by visiting our website at www.800gambler.org
1 Mcdonald, Goyal, and Terry, “Alcohol Intake and Breast Cancer Risk: Weighing the Overall Evidence.”
2 Pierce et al., “Lifetime Cigarette Smoking and Breast Cancer Prognosis in the After Breast Cancer Pooling Project.”
3 Bortz, “Gambling Addiction Affects More Men and Women, Seduced by Growing Casino Accessibility.”
4 Lamb, “Side Effect: Impulse / Compulsive Behavior (Gambling, Shopping, Sex).”
5 Research, “Drug Safety and Availability – FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA Warns about New Impulse-Control Problems Associated with Mental Health Drug Aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada).”