Think Pink --- It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

So, I may be a little late on this blog post, since we are already half way through October, but I just wanted to remind everyone that October is “Breast Cancer Awareness” month. The media has recently been filled with stories of celebrities coming forth with their breast cancer histories, which is fantastic since it really does raise awareness.

Within the past week or so, singer Anastacia revealed that after being initially diagnosed and treated for breast cancer 10 years go, she experienced recurrence and underwent bilateral mastectomies. Kathy Bates also discussed this past week, with People magazine, her battle with both breast and ovarian cancer (the two are genetically linked). Bates successfully battled ovarian cancer back in 2003 and in 2012, she underwent bilateral mastectomies for her breast cancer.

Of course, how could we forget Angelina Jolie’s announcement several months back about being BRCA 1 positive and opted for bilateral prophylactic mastectomies?!  Rather than risk cancer, she opted for a more proactive route. Good for her!

As you can see, breast cancer is everywhere…. Sure, these are only a few voices and they are of celebrities, but just think of how many women are faced with similar situations (and even some men too!)

With this post, I just want to remind everyone to stay healthy and be aware. If you are over 40, be sure that you are getting mammograms, since they are a great way to monitor breast cancer. Even if you are under 40, in your mid 30s perhaps, mammograms are still a good idea..

Be aware of your family history. Breast and ovarian cancer are genetically link and having the BRCA genes does unfortunately increase your risk substantially. This doesn’t mean that testing BRCA positive guarantees that you will get cancer, but if certainly does raise for risk level. BRCA aside, just think about who is your family has breast cancer or ovarian cancer (if such people exist). Testing BRCA negative is great, but if your mom and sisters (for example) were diagnosed with breast cancer, that puts you at high risk! So, definitely, think about your family tree.

I will end this post with: breast cancer sucks. In fact, all cancers suck, but treatments have come a long way! We have better surgical techniques, treatment plans, and medications. Still, before getting to that stage, be conscious and check your boobs! Conduct self-breast examinations, be good about getting your mammograms, and god forbid you feel something, be sure to contact your doctor! Think pink!