Breast Cancer Awareness. I have a confession to make. I’m an avid natural health products user, hygiene freak, marketer of a line of organic and natural menstrual care products, and fitness lover, yet when it comes to my breast health, I’ve been slacking! This is unacceptable especially since my grandmother died from breast cancer. Check out Maxim products HERE (affiliate link).
This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Thanks to the successful efforts of many organizations and the opportunity Celebrate Woman Today gave me to guest blog here on this topic, I have never been as aware as I am today of the third leading killer of women in the United States. I was excited to do some research beyond my basic level of knowledge and the stories I had heard about affected family members.
Here are three major points I learned and hope to pass on to you.
Excessive Drinking Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer
A year ago at this time on a typical Saturday night, I probably would have been on my third shot of tequila as I partied the night away with friends at a local club or bar. Thankfully I have curbed my drinking habits these days and I feel all the more happy doing so having now learned that many studies have shown that drinking alcohol can cause breast cancer.
Easy to Use Early Detection Planning
When I learned that 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump during their own regularly scheduled self-exams, I knew I had to get on a routine of self breast exams of my own. I also felt overwhelmed about having to remember and add yet another item to my already long list of health and beauty regimens. That is until I found about all the easy-to-use apps that would keep me alert about the only only once a month routine that would take no more than five minutes of my time.
The Support I Have As A Modern Day Woman
As I plopped myself down on my cozy couch with laptop in hand surfing the net for information to support my studies for this post, I got a little sad thinking about my grandmother who passed from breast cancer in her early 50s in Iran during a time when and in a place where not much was known about cancer. I couldn’t help, but think how alone and helpless she probably felt without having any access to the great information, medical research and organizations that are around today.
The rush of information available to me in a simple online search lights me up and makes me feel connected, faithful, and “fierce” (as we like to say at Maxim Hygiene Products), about having the power to make a change and stay healthy.
Remarkably, studies show that when breast cancer is detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98% (National Cancer Institute), which makes me think that if my grandmother had an extra five years of life, I would have had the delight of getting to meet her.
To honor #4BreastCancerAwareness month, we would like to encourage each and everyone of you to make One Small Change that could bring more of good health and joy into your life.
