Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink RibbonBreast cancer is something EVERY female should be concerned about. Unfortunately, some women do not even think about breast cancer unless they are impacted by a friend or loved one who has been diagnosed or if they personally hear those frightening words “you have cancer”. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so let’s all commit to learn more and take actions that will help prevent it.

According to BreastCancer.org, “Breast cancer incidence in women in the United States is 1 in 8 (about 13%)”. While there are risk factors outside of our control (e.g. gender, age, family health history, race, pregnancy, breast feeding, etc.), there are controllable risk factors that we can focus on.

  • Maintain a healthy weight;
  • Eat a nutritious diet of whole foods (eliminate processed and fast food);
  • Exercise regularly;
  • Limit alcohol consumption;
  • Do not smoke;
  • Lower stress & anxiety; and
  • Perform monthly self breast exams.

About a year ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. In an instance, her world was turned upside down. Fortunately for her, early detection helped save her life! She is a survivor and doesn’t take one day for granted now.

Early detection is key! Let’s all commit to performing monthly self breast exams and having yearly physicals (including mamograms if you are over the age of 40) to keep our health in check! If something seems out of the ordinary, go see a doctor. Do not sit around thinking it’s nothing because that decision may cost you your life!

Will you make the commitment? If so, let me know in the comments section!

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