Ta Tas Tuesday
It's time to talk about boobs (again)!
WARNING: Pictures and videos that are linked and included are of mature content and for educational uses
WARNING: Pictures and videos that are linked and included are of mature content and for educational uses
October is breast cancer awareness month (along with a smorgasbord of other awareness weeks 'national day of...') For me, this month is all about the Ta Tas. Each Tuesday this month I will be blogging on a post relating to breast cancer to help bring awareness and give voice to a monster that steals joy all over the world.
Last week I introduced you to my mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 35. This is 5-years before insurance companies will cover yearly mammograms and 5 years before doctors start pushing these uncomfortable procedures. She is the one who found the initial lump. She unfortunately took her doctor at his word, he speculated that it was simply a hormone issue and was nothing to worry about. However, eight months later it was something to worry about. Two things of vital importance:
1) If your doctor is not interested or as concerned in your general well being...it is time to find a new doctor. Simple as that. There is no one in the entire world who knows your body better then YOU. If you are concerned you make sure your medical personal are as concerned as you until they have run every test, evaluated every scenario, and have put your mind at ease.
2) Self examinations and self checks are IMPORTANT and can mean all the difference in the end. In high school one of my best friends mom had a chart in the shower showing how to self examine yourself. We thought it was goofy and weird and always got a good laugh about it. Funny thing is, it is not funny at all. I find myself trying really hard to remember back and visualize that goofy chart now as I am growing into adulthood and my chances are elevated.
I have known and do know many women who had or have breast cancer and there is always one thing that every woman says going either way: "We caught it early!" or "I wish we had caught this earlier". Detection is key, being concerned is a good thing, and self examination is one of the only ways this can happen. Many organizations have produced kits and test to help women (and men) test and examine more effectively. Plexus is an organization that got it start as a breast health awareness organization and one of its first products was the Plexus Breast Chek Kit you can order yours today to start self checking this month.
Other sites and organization come out with countless videos, PDF's, pamphlets and step by step walk through (with pictures). At first going through these materials and engaging in self examinations feels weird and awkward and you can never really tell if you are doing it right. The key thing is to simply get familiar with your own breasts, so when something does change, you are able to notice and realize that that is not normal for you.
Check out some of these online resources for more guides and more information:
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer. Always remember that just because you may show some of these signs it does not mean you have breast cancer and the majority of the time they are not cancer related.
Breast Self-Exam. Here is a site that provides a short video, information on how often and step by step illustrations on how to go about preforming a self examination.
Blessings & Joy
Last week I introduced you to my mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 35. This is 5-years before insurance companies will cover yearly mammograms and 5 years before doctors start pushing these uncomfortable procedures. She is the one who found the initial lump. She unfortunately took her doctor at his word, he speculated that it was simply a hormone issue and was nothing to worry about. However, eight months later it was something to worry about. Two things of vital importance:
1) If your doctor is not interested or as concerned in your general well being...it is time to find a new doctor. Simple as that. There is no one in the entire world who knows your body better then YOU. If you are concerned you make sure your medical personal are as concerned as you until they have run every test, evaluated every scenario, and have put your mind at ease.
2) Self examinations and self checks are IMPORTANT and can mean all the difference in the end. In high school one of my best friends mom had a chart in the shower showing how to self examine yourself. We thought it was goofy and weird and always got a good laugh about it. Funny thing is, it is not funny at all. I find myself trying really hard to remember back and visualize that goofy chart now as I am growing into adulthood and my chances are elevated.
I have known and do know many women who had or have breast cancer and there is always one thing that every woman says going either way: "We caught it early!" or "I wish we had caught this earlier". Detection is key, being concerned is a good thing, and self examination is one of the only ways this can happen. Many organizations have produced kits and test to help women (and men) test and examine more effectively. Plexus is an organization that got it start as a breast health awareness organization and one of its first products was the Plexus Breast Chek Kit you can order yours today to start self checking this month.
Check out some of these online resources for more guides and more information:
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer. Always remember that just because you may show some of these signs it does not mean you have breast cancer and the majority of the time they are not cancer related.
Breast Self-Exam. Here is a site that provides a short video, information on how often and step by step illustrations on how to go about preforming a self examination.
Blessings & Joy
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