Photo: maf04/Creative Commons
October (which is just a few days away) is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Those of you who follow me already know my story; my mother and father both had breast cancer and I had a preventive mastectomy due to my own breast disease. While that's a sobering story, remarkable strides have been made in the fight. Breast cancer remains one of the most treatable forms of cancer with a very good rate of survival, if?it's caught early. That means being educated and proactive.
So here are five things totally within your power to do during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
1.? Start doing breast self-exams. You can go here for information on how to do your self exams.? Put them on your calendar so that you remember to do them once a month. Sometimes it's confusing and you might not be sure exactly what you are feeling for. If you need help, see your doctor.
2. Know when to get mammogram.? The National Cancer Institute recommends having a baseline mammogram at age 40 but if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to begin routine screening earlier. Again, talk to your doctor.
3. Know your family history. No one in your family has had breast cancer? Whew, so you're off the hook? Not so fast. The number one?risk factor for developing the disease is being a woman who is getting older. Yep, that's. it. Your risk increases if you have a family history but not having one does not make you immune.?
4. Talk to your teen. The last time I took my teen daughter to the pediatrician, she reminded me that I need to talk to Casey about breast cancer. You'd think I'd know that, given my own story, but even I needed to be reminded. Everyone needs to know what their breasts normally feel like, and discuss with their doctor anything they're unsure of.
5. Get involved. Spread the word about breast cancer. Take to Twitter, Facebook, or other social media and, at the very least, make sure your friends are aware that their chances of being diagnosed are 1 in 8. Encourage friends to check their family history, run, or take some other step toward your own good health!
Breast cancer does not mean a death sentence. Remember, early detection saves lives.
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