Holistic Health - October 2007
Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer
by Valerie Logal
I recently attended a women’s expo in Southern California. My mission there was to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer can save lives. Like many women, I have lost several friends to breast cancer. And the statistics from leading researchers are staggering. Every two minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer; one in eight women will develop breast cancer; breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 20 and 59; ninety to ninety-five percent of women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease; approximately 3 million American women are living with breast cancer and 1 million don’t know it.*
I have always been a believer in the power of positive thinking. And perhaps that was the mindset of many women at the expo as they cheerfully walked by my booth. Although I offered them information on breast cancer and an easy breast self-examination kit, they just didn’t seem to feel the urgency. They stood there with their daughters, sisters and mothers, aware of the hideousness of this disease, but all of them lacked a plan of action. It became apparent that most of them were in a state of denial or fear rather than in a position of empowerment. Possessing adequate knowledge about the steps that a woman can take to control her risk of breast cancer is of greatest value. These steps include eating wholesome food, engaging in regular physical activity, taking in adequate amounts of sunshine and getting enough rest. In addition, through proper stress management and a healthy mental condition, the risk of breast cancer can be greatly reduced.
Every physician will tell you that another key to fighting breast cancer is early detection. This can be accomplished through a variety of breast screening methods, such as mammography, ultrasound and CT scans, breast thermography, clinical breast exams and monthly breast self-examinations. The best time to check for breast cancer is now, and on a regular basis; don’t wait until you think something is wrong. Many problems are often found by women themselves during breast self-examination. Women who regularly examine their breasts become familiar with how they normally look and feel. This can help detect any changes that may occur. Many women naturally have some lumpiness and asymmetry in their breasts. The key to a successful self-exam is to learn how to find changes that persist over time. Women as young as 20 years old should examine their breasts monthly. While most women have been informed about monthly breast self-examinations, only fourteen percent of women are actually doing them. Of this percentage, many still do not know how to perform the exam properly. Most experts agree that if women learn to perform self-exams correctly, they may find a tumor much earlier, when it is still very small. Finding tumors as early as possible improves the chances of saving a breast by avoiding a mastectomy, and may reduce the need for chemotherapy. Menstruating women should perform breast exams a few days to about a week after menstruation has ended, and when breasts are less tender or swollen. Women who no longer are menstruating should perform breast exams on the same day every month. Finally, women using oral contraceptives should do a self-exam on the day that they begin a new package of pills. In addition, there are some new products on the market that aid women in this monthly task. One is the medically-endorsed Breast Chek Kit by Plexus Pink, which contains an instruction manual and breast pad that magnifies your sense of touch by reducing friction between your fingers and your breasts.
Knowledge is power. Arming ourselves with the facts is the best way to conquer fear. Don’t allow yourself or someone you love to become a statistic. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please help spread the word: Early Detection Saves Lives! As women we can empower ourselves to stay healthy by taking action…. it’s in our own hands!
For more information, visit www.komen.org, www.cancer.org or www.cancer.gov. Valeria Logan is the mother of two teenage daughters and an independent distributor of the Breast Check Kit by Plexus Pink, whose mission is to provide a Kit to women around the world. Valerie may be contacted at 858.385.0222 or plexuspink@sncglopbal.net.
*Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute; National Breast Cancer Foundation; National Breast Cancer Coalition