Why My Favorite Color is So Important This Month

I was 14 years old when I first discovered a small, hard lump in my right breast.  I remember it felt like a small ping pong ball, and I was able to clearly feel it and push it around within my breast tissue.  To this day, I am still baffled at it’s sudden appearance back then, as well as the second lump that reappeared a few years later. 

As the daughter of an oncology nurse, I was fortunate enough to have been educated regarding breast cancer awareness and self-breast examinations, even at a young age. It was this awareness that led me down the path to discovering those lumps, as well as the fact that I suffered from fibroadenomas (non-cancerous breast lumps that occur most often in women between the ages of 15 and 35). Now, many years later… post biopsies and two surgeries to remove those cysts… I am still thankful to God that neither were malignant (cancerous).  However, I often recall all of those experiences as scary and seriously disturbing nonetheless. 

Growing up, I listened and watched my mother and her teams of nurses, treat and support patients with various types of cancers. And as terrifying as they all are, breast cancer seemed to stick out like a sore thumb to me.  Obviously my experiences played a part, but as women, we are so busy and responsible for so much.  We often endure, muddle-through, jump over and sometimes ignore the very things we should be paying the closest attention to.  Our health being one of those things.  

Watching and listening to my mom & those nurses educate women in the community, I became acutely aware of how this disease seemed to affect so many, both young and old. And I also discovered how little some of those women knew about detection, prevention and the illness itself.  I realized then that you can never assume someone knows what may seem like a simple well-known fact, and that we must continue to promote awareness as much as possible.

“On average, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.”   It’s such a staggering statistic, that it almost makes it seem unbelievable.  But regardless of how it appears, it is the truth… a truth that I pray will someday decrease and disappear altogether.  However, until that time, knowledge is power and it’s so important to remain educated on the facts regarding this terrible disease. 

So, here are just a few simple facts:

• Learn about the anatomy of the breast –  Knowing about the different parts of the breast and its functionality helps you to better understand your breast health and any issues that may arise.
• Read up on the details of breast cancer – Like I’ve said before, knowledge is power!  There are various resources online and in your doctors’ offices on breast cancer screening, prevention and early detection. [I have also included a few resource links below.]
• Know that early detection is key – As with many other diseases, detecting any abnormalities and/or early diagnosis is important in treatment methods & effectiveness.
• Talk with your doctor – Be sure to see both your primary doctor and gynecologist for yearly check-ups and be sure to ask questions on breast health, getting screened and any changes you may notice.
• Perform self breast examinations – Know when and how to examine your breasts for any changes, abnormalities or problems. Self-detection can make a big difference in your treatment plan and your overall health outcomes.
• Schedule yearly diagnostic examinations – Women over 40 should have regular mammograms for early detection of any irregularities in their breast health (and even some younger women should have testing done based on their health and the recommendations of their physician). 

Now, with all that said, there has been progress made towards treating breast cancer, and the more women who perform the tasks I listed above, the better it is for all.  Although “1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime;” there are presently over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United states alone.  I know… it’s terrifying and hopeful all at the same time.  

However you may feel about this disease or its overwhelming presence, I hope that this article has helped to move you to action.  Let’s support each other, educate one another and fight until there is a cure.  Please tell a friend, share this post and help promote awareness whenever possible. Never assume a woman knows all the facts… be kind and share it anyway.

  -Chintz 💄

For more information, here are a few links to resources:

Looking for more posts like this? Click here to read some excerpts written earlier this year.

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