I
dedicate this article in loving memory of Janise Einfield, my aunty Mirna and
to all those who have been affected by cancer.
In the
USA and Australia, October is breast cancer awareness month and providing that,
most Australians have been touched by breast cancer in one way or another.
In fact, one in every nine Australian women will be diagnosed with breast
cancer by the age of 85. As the number of women affected by this terrible
disease grows, so does our need for your help and support.
That’s
why the Cancer Council holds the event of “Pink Ribbon Day”
which provides the perfect chance for you to do your part in the fight against
breast cancer. There is a lot to be done, but we know together we can create a
better life for everyone affected by this disease. So please, (heart) [shown below] pink or
wear a pink-ribboned shirt brooch (shown below) this October and help us make a difference
for all those affected by breast cancer.
It is
therefore important that you all know that breast cancer can strike anyone at
any age. In rare instances, even males can become breast cancer victims.
Back in
2006 when I was 17, I discovered a lump in my breast and as you can imagine, it
scared the garbage out of me but luckily I acted quickly and sought medical
attention. It turned out that the lump was benign but nevertheless I had it
surgically removed just as a precaution.
I
consider myself to have been lucky in that there was lots of media attention on
the subject of breast cancer in young people.
Even
though most doctors recommend that women undergo regular breast checks between
the ages of 40 and 50, the experiences of celebrities like Kylie Minogue, 38,
the late Jane McGrath, 42, the late Kerryn McCann (Australian Olympic
sprinter), 41 and the late Belinda Emmett, 32 made me realise that it not only
people aged 40 and up but young people as well.
The final message of this article is, get to know your bodies both anatomically and physiologically particularly the state of your breast health and if you notice any changes then please seek medical advice immediately. Who knows? It can either change your life and/or save your life.
