One of my sweetest friends every, Stephanie Darden passed away a few years ago due to Breast Cancer.She was the first person I have known so personally and loved so much to have succumbed to this terrible disease.
I am sure many women think that breast cancer will happen to someone else,some one else’s friend,someone else’s mom etc. The fact is you and I could just as well be the someone else. One of my greatest fears is not being around to raise Lauren to full maturity. To experience joy and pain of life. It’s not rational,but it’s feels real to me. I daily have so much fun, joy and heart felt love with her.couldn’ t imagine it being cut short. My friend Steph was a great Mom, she loved track and field. A good athlete in her own right. We often talked about running again one day. Just cause we love track so much.
If she were here now ,I am sure come to a few track meets help cheer Lauren on and chatting me up
in between races. In the spirit of my great friend Steph please take the time to care and honor yourself, for yourself and your children,those you love and need to be around to love and support.
Educate Yourself
Women who are educated on breast health and trained in self-examination play an active and critical role in promoting their own health and minimizing affects from breast cancer through the earliest possible detection. Knowing what to look for and performing thorough self-examinations on a regular basis literally saves lives.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you :
1. Know your risk
- Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
- Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
- Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk
- Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
- Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40
3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
- Lump, hard knot or thickening
- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Breast Cancer – Possible Early Signs
Generally, some degree of lumpiness can develop in women’s breasts that is not harmful. In fact, only a small percentage of lumps are malignant. So, how do you know what to look for when performing self-examinations?
The following list provides some possible early signs of breast cancer as identified by the National Breast Cancer Foundation:
- A lump is detected, which is usually single, firm, and most often painless
- A portion of the skin on the breast or underarm swells and has an unusual appearance
- Veins on the skin surface become more prominent on one breast
- The breast nipple becomes inverted, develops a rash, changes in skin texture, or has a discharge other than breast milk
- A depression is found in an area of the breast surface
Share With Your Youth Teen Girl Athletes
Breast Health Guide for Teens:
 Breast Development |
Breast Cancer Risks |
| What’s Normal |
Buying a Bra |
| Lumps & Bumps |
Measuring for a Bra |
For More Information Go To:
Until Next Time
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