Getting Frisky
Contrary to what the title of this post may imply, this is not another conception post. Instead this is a public service broadcast.
I don’t think I have to go too far out on a limb to say each and every one of you in some form or fashion have had a brush with breast cancer. The latest statistics are staggering – over 200,000 diagnoses of invasive breast cancer alone in United States last year. My oncologist told me two years ago it was an epidemic.
A person can go crazy trying to figure out what to eat, what not to eat, how much to exercise, etc., to prevent breast cancer. It seems like every time a study comes out saying we should eat such-in-such, two years later they come out and say we shouldn’t eat such-in-such. Sheryl Crow says she got breast cancer from drinking bottled water that had heated in her car. Maybe. I would consider that it didn’t help any. But to say definitively that’s what caused her cancer is irresponsible, in my opinion.
Regardless of whether you only eat organic, never use a microwave, exercise an hour every day and twice on Sunday; you need to be diligent in your breast self exams. And not just the women. Men can get breast cancer as well.
You know how you might know a friend of a friend? Well I know a blogger of a blogger. Mert at Almost Somewhat Positive came up with this:
So not only am I going to put this on my sidebar, I’m going to remind you all to do this very important thing on the 15th of each month. Okay? Okay!
I don’t personally know anyone who has had breast cancer but I do know a lot of people who have had some other type of cancer and I can’t stress enough that people get every little thing checked out ASAP. I know of MANY people who couldn’t be bothered to go to the docs until it was too late.It’s awesome that you are doing this. Oh and are ya reading HP? Mehehe.
Thanks, Jen. I could certainly use the reminder! I can never look my doctor in the eye when I go in for my yearly exam and she asks me if I do a regular Breast Self Exam every month. I’m hoping that you’ll be able to help me smile at her next time and say proudly, “Why, yes, Leslie, I do, every month on the 15th!” She’ll be so proud of me. :)Hugs,Jennifer
Excellent reminder. I had that scare eleven years ago but I was glad that I had the surgery that removed the “lumps” in my breast. It turned out to be benign and the surgeon said I had fibroidal adenomas. I still don’t know what it means to this day but I was reassured by the man it was not cancerous at all. Never took my breasts for granted ever again.
Hi Jenster, I just wanted to respond on you blog too. I think it’s wonderful that you are making a goal for women you know to do their exams… I have never had cancer but I just worry that I neglect myself, you know? Good intentions aren’t enough to save women’s lives, we have to keep on each other. :)I am honored to have you linkin’ to my blog, thanks!As far as a tattoo, I was saying on my blog that I didn’t want my tatt to define who I was as a victim, but what i have become… so if your tattoo makes you feel good about what you have been through and is a positive reminder of what you have survived, I say wear it like a badge of honor.
When i was at the dr a few months ago and was asked the dreaded question… I gritted my teeth and said nooooooo. I got (the expected) stern look.. followed by “Pokey.. you know with the problems youve had and already having had multiple cancer scares….” Jen i can honestly say that because of you.. and geting frisky on the 15th… this will not happen again. Thank you.
Great reminder! I have this plastic doohickey that hangs on my shower head. It looks like a ‘do not disturb’ hotel hang tag. It has a diagram on how to do a breast exam. The funny thing about it is that the diagram is of a very old woman, and the breasts are anatomically realistic for a woman of that age.Anyway, it was in the bathroom when we bought our house and I just kept it there.
Thank you.Bottled water? I don’t get that one AT ALL.
Damn. You think if I yell ‘stick ’em up’ before frisking them they’ll get all perked up again? ;)CindyS
Yay for you. I have already had precancer removed from my brest and I am only 33 yrs old. However you already know this but my Mom had a double masectomy and my cousin on my mom’s side had one brest removed. It is so important to exam yourself. I am also getting in gear to have a reduction…my doctor wants me to do it so that I have even less tissue to work with when doing exams. It is a scary thing to find a lump. You cannot rely on mamograms my mom’s didn’t even show a lump when they did one for her preop stuff to have her masectomy.
Love it, love it, love it! I am SO taking this for my sidebar too — okay?
Jen, great idea, and I admit I occasionally need someone to play drill sergeant and give me some tough love. You remind me that we should always be taking care of ourselves, too. Thanx hon.
Oh, and I just recognized you as a Rockin’ Blogger!
Great reminder and wonderful thing to do. I say this as I hang my head low in shame, being 3 months late for my yearly mamo. This gave me the push I needed to pick up the phone and make the appointment. Love ya!
Mailyn – Anymore it’s amazing if you don’t know someone who has breast cancer. But you’re right, there’s just too much cancer period. And would ya know I’ve never read an HP book?? We have several of them, though. I know. It’s not right. lolJennifer – I’m glad I could help! I don’t want you to get into trouble with the doc.Amy – Good girl! Mert – Thank YOU! “Frisk the 15th” is very clever. And as for the tattoo – the jury’s still out. I don’t think I have enough of a passion for it. At least not yet. Maybe someday…Pokey Puppy – GOOD! I was somewhat lax in my breast self exams even though I’d had lumps before. But I did find my lump (I wasn’t old enough for yearly mammos yet). Just not quite as early as I wish I did.Monnik – So does the hanger tell you “throw breast over shoulder to examine underside”? lolSlackermommy – The thing with the bottled water is that as the water heats it released carcinogens from the plastic and they’re the same carcinogens that are found in at least some breast cancer.Cindy – I suppose it’s worth a try! lolJenn – I found my first lump when I was 27. I found my second lump when I was 36. I found this third lump when I was 39. The first two were just fibrocystic changes so I wasn’t too concerned with the third. And you know how that turned out. I had no family history like you do so I really didn’t worry too much. I’m glad you’re diligent in your screenings!Whymommy – ABSOLUTELY! Take away. :o)Stacy – GET FRISKY, MAGGOT!! (That’s my best drill sargeant impression.) You’re very welcome!!! (And you’re definitely not a maggot!)Whymommy – There are some people who think I rock and who am I to argue with them? lolEileen – No worries. Just make the appointment now. :o)
Great Reminder to all of us….I have been a faithful self examiner for years. Plus the check ups! You do us all a great favor!! Thanks.
Okay…going to make the appt for my baseline mammo today. Thank you! xxxooogretchenAlso–I had a professor who was a consultant to the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society. He totally rocked, and what’s more, he was very hip to all the preventions and news about cancer. His advice to a bunch of drooly college kids (in CO, under bright sunshine)? Shower with a friend LOL to check for melanoma, testicular cancer, and breast cancer. All kidding aside, I think he’s probably saved more than a few lives during his tenure at CU. Go forth and be frisky. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder. I’m fairly well regulated in self-exams, but it never hurts to do just one extra.