First of all, happy October everyone!

I am sure you are all aware that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It might not be crisis pregnancy related, but it is an issue for all women (and men) to be aware of, so I must do my little part.

Until a few years ago, I knew very little about breast cancer myself. I was in my twenties and invincible – I didn’t need to worry about breast cancer. Then I watched a friend battle this disease. I watched her from a far, I wasn’t close enough to be a part of her every day life, but as I listened to her struggles on the phone and in emails, my heart went out to her. My friend is a survivor! But her struggle taught me that breast cancer can hit the twenty something crowd and it can hit my circle of friends and it could hit me too.

That’s when I decided it was time to educate myself and the most useful thing I’ve learned that early detection, my friends, is key! So, through out the month I will share a little of my findings with you.

The purpose of having a National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection as well as honoring the survivors and those who have passed on as a result of breast cancer. One in eight women either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Eighty three percent of women diagnosed early with breast cancer survive – early detection can save your life!

The National Breast Cancer Organization states that self breast examinations are one of the best tools to detect breast cancer in the early stages. It only takes about five minutes to check your breasts and can be done monthly. You should also receive a breast examination once a year by your physician and a mammogram each year after 40 or earlier if you are at high risk for breast cancer. High risk factors include having a family history of breast cancer, excessive weight gain, excessive alcohol use, and smoking, just to name a few.

Next post, we will discuss some of the myths and facts about breast cancer.

To be continued.......