It is October which is the start of International Breast Cancer Awareness month. I personally have mixed feelings about October and the overdose of pink, yet I am conscious that this time of year is important in not only raising awareness of this horrible disease but also much needed funds into research, treatment, new medications and support care. Breast cancer is beyond pink.
The message of awareness is still very important and I ask you to please, please, please check your breasts. Awareness is more than a pink event or buying pink endorsed merchandise. Awareness is knowing the symptoms of the disease, knowing your family genetic history and knowing that breast cancer does not discriminate. So if you are young or young at heart, if you have kids or no kids…the list is endless…know that breast cancer simply does not care, but we as a community do care.
So get to know your breasts and learn about the symptoms to feel for. If you don’t know how to check your breasts or what to look for, please ask your GP for a lesson or visit the Breast Cancer Network Australia. also has a great touch and feel campaign this month. Visit one of their centres and learn the difference of healthy breasts and breasts that have cancer.
The message for research is also extremely important. Without research, I would not be alive and well. Yet, I am one of the lucky ones. There are many women diagnosed with breast cancer that are not lucky. Their cancer may have spread and there is no cure for Stage 4 Cancer.....yet. There are still many unknowns in breast cancer and many different types of breast cancer. The best way to help is to donate towards research. Research is the key to reducing the high number of deaths from breast cancer. Research is key into improving patient outcome. Research is key to new and improved diagnostics and treatment. Research is key to finding a cure.
If you want to support research, please support the National Breast Cancer Foundation. They are Australia’s leading community-funded organisation raising money for research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer.
Now, go and check your breasts and remember that breast cancer does not discriminate and it is more than pink, it is real....very very real and nasty.
Please feel free to send me an email with your thoughts and feedback and don’t forget to hug the ones you love.
Love and health
Tina xx
