It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, as women, this is one of the most important times of the year to be mindful of our health. I personally know how an illness like this can change the lives of everyone involved, including the patient. My mom had breast cancer and I can’t put into words how devastating that time was. So, it should be evident to see why this time of year is important to someone like me.
My goal is to shed some light on some things we all should be doing to stay proactive with our breast health! Those things are:
The best time for us to do these self-exams is every month right after our menstrual cycle ends. There are two main ways doctors suggest this be done: first, by lying flat on your back, lifting one arm at a time above your head and making a circular motion with your fingers in a spider-like crawl way starting from the outside of your breast moving inward. The second way this can be done is by standing up straight while in the shower and lifting one arm over your head at a time and doing the same spider-like crawl motion on your breast starting from the outside and moving inward.
2. Track your family’s medical history.
If you are like me and have multiple women in your family that have a history of breast cancer, that is something you should be aware of. And the earlier in age they get the illness, the more you should be aware of your breast health. One way to do this is to have a gene test to determine if you have any of the breast cancer genes. I recently made the decision to go ahead and have my genetic test done to determine if I carry the same gene as my mom, which will determine my likelihood of getting breast cancer. You could have this done with your OB-GYN, or your Primary Care Physician can refer you to a Breast Specialist that can do the same test and even give you preventative maintenance options and things to be aware of.
3. Try to live a healthy lifestyle.
Because breast cancer is so unpredictable and can even affect people who don’t have a family history of the illness, the best things we can do for ourselves is to do what we can to live a long healthy life. This includes eating healthy, exercising regularly, drinking water, etc. Not that any of those actions could stop you from getting breast cancer, but it could make your chances of getting it decrease and your chances of surviving it better.
Ladies, please take this seriously! Breast cancer is not something to play with and affects millions of women from all walks of life every day. Be Aware!