Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Breast Cancer Awareness



by Diane Burton

October is apple cider and donuts, baseball, and breast cancer awareness. One month set aside to remind us to be aware of our bodies. In the “olden days” when doctors knew everything, we acted like children and were treated as such. The doc knew best.

As the saying goes, “we’ve come a long way, baby.” We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves, to be responsible for our physical well-being. We must educate ourselves about our bodies.

Two weeks ago, my daughter invited me to attend an evening of education. Doctors and other health professionals conducted mini-workshops on things like genetic testing, nutrition, stress management, surgical options, and more. I wish there had been time to attend more than two workshops. Fortunately, some of the workshops are available as podcasts. http://www.hollandhospital.org/WomenCenter/Overview.aspx If your local hospital has an event like this, I urge you to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about your body.

In my last post (October 8) I joked about something silly scaring me more than breast cancer. Sometimes the more serious a situation, the only way to deal with it is to find humor. Otherwise, we cry. I’m well aware of the seriousness of cancer. Both of my sisters, an aunt and her daughter are breast cancer survivors. They survived because their cancers were detected early. One of my sisters discovered hers through self-examination. The other through an annual mammogram.

Just because one month a year is devoted to breast cancer awareness doesn’t mean in two days we can forget about it. Be aware of changes in your body. Get regular mammograms. Take care of yourself.

I blog here on the 8th and 30th of each month and Mondays on my own blogsite http://dianeburton.blogspot.com My first romantic suspense, One Red Shoe, is available on Amazon.

8 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

Wise words, Diane. As they say early detection is key. It was for my sister-in-law. My mother, who has passed, was a volunteer in a Tamoxifen study. I'm very proud of that. Not as scary if you take control.

Diane Burton said...

Good point, Margo. Scary is when you feel you have no control. I was part of that study also.

Jannine Gallant said...

I'm off to call for that mammogram appointment. Thanks for the timely reminder!

KatB said...

Bravo, Diane! Great blog post.

Lucy Naylor Kubash said...

Thanks for the reminder, Diane. In a group of my friends I went to school with, 3 have had breast cancer, and I know of at least 5 other acquaintances. All but one is or has recovered. But thank goodness for early detection. Knowledge is power, for sure.

Melissa Keir said...

I have my appointment scheduled for November. I'm a yearly person and do it all on the day... physical, the pap and the mammogram. I had a scare a few years ago when they found a problem in a duct that looked precancerous. I had it removed and am proud to say that I am in charge of my health.

This is such an important post. I hope everyone reads it.

Nancy Gideon said...

Good for you, Diane. I'm like you, both sisters are survivors and one detected it through self-exam (only a month or so AFTER her mammogram!) and the other during her check up. Serious business we need to take care of regularly. Just had mine - with an all clear report. Wishing the same for all others.

Diane Burton said...

So happy to hear about survivors because of early detection. One thing I found out at the mini-workshop I attended was that digital mammograms can detect so much more than the old films. The doc I just left had films. Glad I moved to where there is more advanced technology.