It’s October!! My absolute favorite month of the year. It’s time to watch the trees show us how beautiful it is to let the dead things go. Crisp fall color against a blue sky… October is my jam. Also, I get to wear my normal clothes again. I’m an Oregonian, man. 65 degrees to 75 degrees is my happy place, and I particularly prefer sweater weather!
Also, it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month! I’m going to load you up with some facts, statistics, pleas, and of course a meme or two.
I don’t need to spend time wondering if I did this to myself. I’m 42. Mammograms are supposed to start happening at age 40 and I never made the appointment like I should’ve. As I shared in my first blog post, my first mammogram was the diagnostic one after I felt something suspicious. I technically should’ve been on my third routine mammogram this year. If I’d started them when I was supposed to, could I have avoided this whole chemotherapy scene? Possibly. It’s probable. I choose not to camp out in the coulda/shoulda/woulda space because it does me no good and won’t change things. BUT, perhaps someone reading this will take this story seriously and make the next move in their own health care! Breast cancer doesn’t care how old you are. (I recently heard about a book called “Chemo, Cupcakes and Carpool” and couldn’t stand the thought of ladies having to mother small children in the middle of all this!) So, here are some serious facts/statistics:
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1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime
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Only about 50% of women over age 40 get their annual mammograms (guilty)
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40% of diagnosed breast cancer is detected in self exams (also me)
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Self breast exams should begin at the age of 20
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Only 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary
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30-40% of cancers can be prevented through diet
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Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death of women in America (although women with stage 1 breast cancer have an 88% chance of living at least 5 years.)
If you think about the amount of women you work with, or perhaps worship with, or are standing in line at the grocery store with… How many do you think could be/have been/will be affected? If you are wandering around Target, chances are you could get on the intercom and ask anyone who’s a “pink sister” to please meet in the linen department, and if people are honest and brave enough to show up, you’d have a little gathering there by the queen sized sheets.
Here are some fun facts:
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Dutch Bros is selling a fabulous pink travel mug (today, Oct 1) that says “Too Strong For Fear” for $24 and $10 from each purchase will be donated to BC programs
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Nordstrom bills insurance for post surgical bras and camis
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Cleaning For A Reason is a network of housekeeping organizations that donate 2 free house cleanings for cancer patients
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LulaRoe has launched a Breast Cancer Awareness line that’s super fun. I accidentally got another pair of leggings…
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If you adore my butt-kicking shoes (See post from Aug 8) as much as I do, you can find them here: https://store.thebreastcancersite.greatergood.com/collections/325-footwear/products/77251-pink-ribbon-training-shoes They are on sale for less than $20!!
Here is my plea: Do your self exams, schedule your mammograms, stop putting off whatever appointments you’ve been meaning to make. Stop ignoring that thing you’ve been meaning to get checked out. Get your teeth cleaned. Whatever it is, take care of it! And of course, check yo’ self! #Feelthemonthefirst
