Being in the fitness industry I constantly give myself the "gift" of health. But with each December that passes I go one step further and get my yearly physical. Now this is NOT something that I genuinely look forward to taking time out of my busy schedule to do. However, it is something that a woman of my age (or any age) should do for herself. Along with the regular yearly physical every woman NEEDS to visit their gynecologist...and all that entails. But if that isn't enough to add to your already full plate how about the suggestion to do:
NOTE: For women at high risk (sister, daughter, and/or mother with breast cancer), more frequent mammograms are recommended below age 40. Consider annual mammograms after age 30 especially if there is a family history of breast cancer at a young age.
Click the following link for a how to on Breast Self Examinations.
In the winter of 2010 a dear friend of mine found a lump in her breast. Immediately your first thoughts are that it could be cancer. Honestly what woman hasn't thought at least once in her lifetime about the possibility of getting cancer? Or what woman doesn't know of someone who currently has breast cancer or is a breast cancer survivor? This is a frightening thought, especially when you find out that the American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are from September of 2009. They report that there were:
Currently there are more than 2 1/2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Having said all that - I am still not the type to run around screaming, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." But I am the type to question whether or not my dear friend does regular self exams. She's not....so of course, being the professional, compassionate and optimist friend that I am, I encouraged her to get it looked at ASAP. The look of terror in her face was clear, so I reassured her that it was probably just a cyst but her doctor still needed to have a look at it. She headed to the doctor.....and come to find out it was a cyst that needed to be aspirated.
I immediately thought we need more information on this subject and what lies ahead is the information that begins a journey.
When to seek medical advice
Self exams are critical. There is a "how to" link at the start of this Blog. Please use it, you need to get to know your own breasts. Normal breast tissue in healthy women often feels lumpy or nodular. If you detect the presence of any new breast lumps, or if a previously evaluated breast lump seems to have grown or otherwise changed, make an appointment with your doctor and get it checked out.
Sources: American Cancer Society: Medical review 09/29/2009, "How Many Women Get Breast Cancer?"
www.cancer.org - How to Perform a Breast Self Exam
- Monthly breast self exams beginning at age 20
- Breast exam by a physician every 2 years between the ages of 20 + 30
- Baseline mammography at age 35, then bi-annual until age 40, and annually thereafter
NOTE: For women at high risk (sister, daughter, and/or mother with breast cancer), more frequent mammograms are recommended below age 40. Consider annual mammograms after age 30 especially if there is a family history of breast cancer at a young age.
Click the following link for a how to on Breast Self Examinations.
In the winter of 2010 a dear friend of mine found a lump in her breast. Immediately your first thoughts are that it could be cancer. Honestly what woman hasn't thought at least once in her lifetime about the possibility of getting cancer? Or what woman doesn't know of someone who currently has breast cancer or is a breast cancer survivor? This is a frightening thought, especially when you find out that the American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are from September of 2009. They report that there were:
- 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer
- 40,170 deaths from breast cancer
Currently there are more than 2 1/2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Having said all that - I am still not the type to run around screaming, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." But I am the type to question whether or not my dear friend does regular self exams. She's not....so of course, being the professional, compassionate and optimist friend that I am, I encouraged her to get it looked at ASAP. The look of terror in her face was clear, so I reassured her that it was probably just a cyst but her doctor still needed to have a look at it. She headed to the doctor.....and come to find out it was a cyst that needed to be aspirated.
I immediately thought we need more information on this subject and what lies ahead is the information that begins a journey.
When to seek medical advice
Self exams are critical. There is a "how to" link at the start of this Blog. Please use it, you need to get to know your own breasts. Normal breast tissue in healthy women often feels lumpy or nodular. If you detect the presence of any new breast lumps, or if a previously evaluated breast lump seems to have grown or otherwise changed, make an appointment with your doctor and get it checked out.
Sources: American Cancer Society: Medical review 09/29/2009, "How Many Women Get Breast Cancer?"
www.cancer.org - How to Perform a Breast Self Exam
