October!
Happy October! It's my birthday month ... helloooooo 35 ... and also it's National Breast Cancer Awareness month here in Australia. There's pink everywhere - banners have gone up, and magazines have started running their special BC editions.
So, I thought, what a perfect time to draw some attention specifically to breast cancer in younger women. Like I was! (Well, I like to think I still am ...)
Only 6% of breast cancer cases are in women under 40, but our cancer tends to be more aggressive and faster-growing ... and as a result, women between 15 - 50 years old are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other cancer. It's crucial to detect it early, and get appropriate treatment.
There are some issues related to diagnosis, though. Because younger women have denser breast tissue, it can be more difficult to detect tumours via mammogram. So breast self-exams are really important! Also, I've met too many young women who weren't diagnosed properly the first time around. Even I wasn't - my diagnosis only came about via a 2nd opinion. Statistically, us young ones are in the minority - so doctors aren't as ready to send us off for scans and biopsies, because lumps in our breasts aren't likely to be anything serious. Which is dangerous. Take control of your own health and if you feel like something's wrong - be annoyingly persistant.
I wrote a little about my own story on a page - http://www.easypeasyorganic.com/p/big-c.html - with some links to information about breast cancer in younger women and also a couple of articles I've been a part of. It's not been an easy road, for sure - and maybe I wasn't even aware of that till I started writing the page above. I still feel all sorts of different things about breast cancer, some of which I hardly understand at all.
But anyway, it's Breast Cancer Awareness month - so here's a little checklist for you:
1. Check your breasts, or check your partner's (if you're not the breast-y one)
2. Donate to a breast cancer charity - be it for research or support, they all need our money
3. Give lots and lots of cuddles, all month long. And tell all your friends and family how much you love them.
4. Try cutting out some of the more common toxins in your life - like buying more organic produce or using vinegar to clean instead of synthetic chemicals or planting a garden.
5. Get out there and do some exercise! Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent breast cancer there is!
If you have some ideas, or want to share a story or link - please post it in the comments section ... we'd all love to hear about it.
Be well,
Amanda
So, I thought, what a perfect time to draw some attention specifically to breast cancer in younger women. Like I was! (Well, I like to think I still am ...)
Only 6% of breast cancer cases are in women under 40, but our cancer tends to be more aggressive and faster-growing ... and as a result, women between 15 - 50 years old are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other cancer. It's crucial to detect it early, and get appropriate treatment.
There are some issues related to diagnosis, though. Because younger women have denser breast tissue, it can be more difficult to detect tumours via mammogram. So breast self-exams are really important! Also, I've met too many young women who weren't diagnosed properly the first time around. Even I wasn't - my diagnosis only came about via a 2nd opinion. Statistically, us young ones are in the minority - so doctors aren't as ready to send us off for scans and biopsies, because lumps in our breasts aren't likely to be anything serious. Which is dangerous. Take control of your own health and if you feel like something's wrong - be annoyingly persistant.
I wrote a little about my own story on a page - http://www.easypeasyorganic.com/p/big-c.html - with some links to information about breast cancer in younger women and also a couple of articles I've been a part of. It's not been an easy road, for sure - and maybe I wasn't even aware of that till I started writing the page above. I still feel all sorts of different things about breast cancer, some of which I hardly understand at all.
But anyway, it's Breast Cancer Awareness month - so here's a little checklist for you:
1. Check your breasts, or check your partner's (if you're not the breast-y one)
2. Donate to a breast cancer charity - be it for research or support, they all need our money
3. Give lots and lots of cuddles, all month long. And tell all your friends and family how much you love them.
4. Try cutting out some of the more common toxins in your life - like buying more organic produce or using vinegar to clean instead of synthetic chemicals or planting a garden.
5. Get out there and do some exercise! Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent breast cancer there is!
If you have some ideas, or want to share a story or link - please post it in the comments section ... we'd all love to hear about it.
Be well,
Amanda
Great article dear Amanda! And wow - look at you 2.5 years on. You go girl! Love the photos too. You look very wise and peaceful. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for an amazing piece, and also your one about the big C. I'm 35 and was diagnosed last year... went through treatment etc. Now I'm making and selling headscarves for people who are bald just like we were. I was disappointed with the range available so decided to create my own. You can read about me on www.hatiheri.com - and take a look at some pics too. More to come!
ReplyDeleteYou're battle with breast cancer is an amazing story! Great advice for living healthy and cancer-free. Again, wow for beating breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteSteph, thank you! I can hardly believe it's been that long!!
ReplyDeleteTish, thanks for passing on the link - I'll definitely check it out ;)
Karen, thanks - and thank you too for coming along to EPO and leaving all the comments! I love comments!
Amanda this is a great post. Thanks for the checklist. BTW I love how you have photographed your daughter reading the articles - very effective.
ReplyDeleteThat is a really good reminder, especially from someone who has gone through it. Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteI love the photos you've put with this post!
Jess + Melanie, It was so lovely to meet you last week! Thanks for checking out the post, and for your comments :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait till the next meet up!
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. You are such an inspiring and strong woman and mother! I especially appreciate tip #3 and am working hard to keep it up...