Halloween is right around the corner. Today is the last Breast Cancer Awareness Month post and I have been trying to settle on what to write. Finally I settled on self-empowerment. Breast cancer is deadly, but it is possible to survive a breast cancer diagnosis and this week’s post is about that: ways to detect, ways to prevent, ways to support, and a story about a really cool guy in Maryland.
Early detection is key.
- Self-exams. Who knows your breasts better than yourself? Self-exams should be done monthly. Your breasts will feel different depending on where you are in your cycle, so be sure to do this exam around the same time each cycle.
- Assisted exams. My husband is only too happy to help me with a breast exam. I’d wager my beautiful blonde-haired daughter that most men are quite willing to do a monthly “exam” for you and search out any changes that may need further investigation.
- Mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of your breast. Mammograms are responsible for catching the majority of early stage breast cancer while it’s still too small to feel. They hurt, but a moment of pain is worth your life.
- Thermal Imaging. Definitely the way I’m going to go this year. Thermal imaging captures heat signatures from your body. Cancer cells grow faster than non-cancerous cells, and show up as “heat” on the thermal imaging. Preparation is key to get a good read, so talk to your doctor or naturopath about having this done. Mine even runs a 2 for 1 special every year.
- Ultra sound. Using sound waves to create a picture of your breast. I had this done after my mammogram revealed what would later turn out to be just a cyst. This is painless and offers a look inside your breast. I’m not saying don’t get a mammogram, but I wonder why we can’t just start here and skip the radioactive smashing?
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Look for warning signs
- A change in shape or size
- Rash or redness around the nipple
- Change in skin texture (like to the texture of an orange).
- Discharge (some discharge is normal – don’t panic, ask your doctor)
- A lump or thickness that feels different than the rest of your breast
- If your nipple becomes inverted or changes position or shape
- Constant pain in your breast or armpit.
Ways to prevent
Decrease alcohol/sugar intake (ugh – I love wine!) Every article I read about how to prevent or lessen your chances of developing breast cancer had this listed.- Eat real food. Processed food is bad for you. Some cancers feed on hormones (like the ones in meats and some dairy), there are many spices that are thought to fight or help prevent cancer, and (I believe) doTerra has an essential oil that they market as helping to increase breast health.
- Avoid parabens (methyl, propyl, and butyl). Parabens are preservatives that are in cosmetics and things like shampoos and lotions. There’s no proven link between parabens and cancer, but research has shown a consistent high level of parabens in cancerous breast tissue. Check your labels. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll see methylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben as one of the ingredients.
- Have your Vitamin D checked. Vitamin D is one of nature’s most powerful cancer fighters. One article I read claimed that Vitamin D can actually kill cancer cells. I’m not sure if that’s true, (any scientists out there?) but I know low Vitamin D levels are almost always present in people with diseases such as cancer or MS.
- Reduce stress. Stress causes disease. Period. I know there’s no way to avoid it, but there are ways to cope with and reduce stress. Why not try something new if it will make you happier and healthier?
Ways to support
- Make sure you’re prepared yourself. Learning that a loved one has cancer is difficult. Allow yourself time to process and cope with your own feelings so that you can focus fully on them when you’re with them.
- Be there. Send a “thinking of you” note or a text with no response required. They’re probably tired and knowing that you are thinking of them and they don’t have to worry about responding is a delight and a relief.
- Offer to help. Don’t just say – “let me know,” but ask about a specific thing. “Hey, I was taking my dog for a walk, can I take yours too?”
- Make future plans but be flexible. Future plans give them something to look forward to, but make sure they’re flexible enough to allow for a cancellation or reschedule if your friend/loved one isn’t feeling up to it.
- Hug them. Cancer isn’t contagious and the healing power of touch is truly magical.
One really cool story.
I wanted to share a bit of inspiration today too. There are so many great stories out there about people who are fighting, have fought, support, and the ones that support the ones that support, it was really difficult to narrow it down to just one. I read about Vinnie Myers years ago and thought he was a prince then, and today I want to share his story with you. Vinnie is a tattoo artist who tattoos realistic, 3-D nipples on breast cancer survivors. That’s all he does. He started doing this in 2001 when a lady came to him and was unhappy with the nipple tattoo her plastic surgeon had done during her breast reconstruction. He has a little shop in Finksburg, Maryland called “Little Vinnie’s Tattoos.” Today.com posted a story about him earlier this month. Check out Vinnie Myers
Breast cancer survivors are changed in so many ways. They’ve had so much taken from them and have endured so much I thought this was a really cool way to give them back something to make them feel better about themselves. Good job Vinnie!
There’s so much that’s so important to talk about when it comes to breast cancer awareness, but today I think I wanted most to inspire and protect. I know I can’t actually protect anyone with my words, but if my words make one person do a self-exam, or make a lifestyle change, or reach a man who convinces his girl he wants to help her out, if one more person becomes more aware, and that one person makes one more person become more aware… it’ll be fantastic.
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