As someone who is related to a family member who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, October is a very important month to spread awareness about this vicious disease. My aunt was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in July of 2016 and since then, life has been nothing short of an emotional and physical rollercoaster.
Since being diagnosed, she had a double mastectomy in January of 2017 and had to live with her younger sister for a year. Due to the severity of the procedures, she was given the option of having a reconstruction done to make her body appear “prettier” but she chose not to have this done. The reason? Because she is proud. She is a proud woman who since being diagnosed in 2016 with stage four breast cancer, is now living cancer free and in remission.
Although this is a personal story, I wanted to share this with you all because we need this kind of encouragement, not only in the month of October, but all year round. Even in the lowest points in the rollercoaster of life, something truly incredible can happen. My aunt is one of the happiest women I have ever come across, and because of this struggle, she is now a STRONG and HAPPY woman as well.
With this story in mind, here are some healthy choices that can help lower the risk of not only developing breast cancer but other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and can help your physical health overall
- Be physically active
- Eat at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day
- Limit red meat and the “bad” fats
- Limit excessive alcohol consumption
Here are the messages that Susan G. Komen sends to spread self-awareness:
- Know Your Risk
- Get Screened
- Know What is Normal for You
- Make Healthier Lifestyle Choices
What can you do right now?
As many of you may know, on Sunday, October 21st, Alpha Theta Alpha is holding a Breast Cancer Walk right on our McCarthy Stadium from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can sign up early and receive a free t-shirt. If you can’t make it, you can always donate money to the cause. Money raised will go to the Fox Chase Cancer Center.
https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/HealthyBehaviorsampRisk.html