As many of you may be aware, or so I hope, this month, October, is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Two years ago, I lost my mother because of what started as breast cancer, and it was very tragic for me. I still miss her dearly, but months like this are useful in helping to make sure no one else loses their mother, friend, sister, aunt, grandmother, etc to breast cancer. Take care of yourself and make sure you know your body well. Don't ignore anything out of the ordinary, and follow these steps to do you own at home checks to help prevent breast cancer.
Detection Plan
An Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan should include:
Clinical breast examinations every three years from ages 20-39, then every year thereafter.
Monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20. Look for any changes in your breasts.
Baseline mammogram by the age of 40.
Mammogram every one to two years for women 40-49, depending on previous findings.
Mammogram every year for women 50 and older.
A personal calendar to record your self-exams, mammograms, and doctor appointments.
A low-fat diet, regular exercise, and no smoking or drinking.
How to Conduct a Breast Self-Exam
In the shower: Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine left breast, left hand for right breast.
Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.
Before a mirror: Inspect your breasts with arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of skin or changes in the nipple. Then rest palm on hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match — few women's breasts do.
Lying down: Place pillow under right shoulder, right arm behind your head. With fingers of left hand flat, press right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast. Use light, medium and firm pressure. Squeeze nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
This information is given to us by
The Breast Cancer Site where you can go every day and do something absolutely free to help fund breast cancer research and donated mammograms. All you have to do is click.
But now, we must move on to the fun part! A few months ago, I felt this overwhelming desire to make a dark brown and pink scarf/neck warmer, and as I was making it, I felt led to pray over it for the person that will receive it. Originally, I decided I would sell it in my
Etsy store, but with the help of my friend Sandy at
Cape Cod Originals I have now decided to host a give away with this very neck warmer. So, here are the rules for the give away.
1. If you comment on my blog, you will receive one entry.
2. If you become a follower of my blog, you will receive two entries.
3. If you link back to my blog in your own blog, website, or store, you will receive two more entries.
4. I don't want to leave out the loyal followers of my blog, so if you already follow my blog, and you post a link to this give away and comment, you will receive the same 5 entries as a new follower would. :)
5. This give away will be open for 7 days. From now until next Thursday at Midnight central time, you can enter and tell everyone you know about this give away and early detection.
6. If you post a link to this give away anywhere, please leave me a link to the place you posted it at so I can check it out for myself. Leave all links and comments in the comment box.
You may use my picture in your own blogs, but please tell all! The person meant to receive this warmer will finally be getting it, and I am confident of that.
Oh, and for the guys out there reading my blog, don't be afraid to join in the fun! Your mothers, friends, wives, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, etc would all love a warm new hand made neck warmer, and they all have breasts, too! This is a good cause. Yay Breasts!!
Also, as a side note, any purchases in my
Etsy shop this month will have 10% donated to my local Relay For Life team through the American Cancer Society.
