Day 1: Pinktober - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Welcome to Breast Cancer Awareness Month My Story: We all have been affected by cancer. Whether you have been through it yourself, or you know someone who has been diagnosed. It seems to be everywhere. And I, too, have been affected by it. Since October is typically recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to take the time over the next 31 days to discuss this particular form of cancer.

Here’s why…breast cancer runs in my family. My maternal grandmother, Clara, was diagnosed when she was 33. She had a mastectomy, went through cobalt treatments, etc. One year later, she developed cancer in the other breast. So, another mastectomy was done. Since then, her five daughters have always felt that at least one of them may also develop breast cancer. Years went by. And then her eldest daughter, Jean (my mom), was diagnosed at age 53. Due to the family history, she opted for a double mastectomy right away.

A couple years later, another daughter, Joy, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 52. She, too, opted for a double mastectomy. Her recovery wasn’t as quick as Jean’s. You’ll hear more from her later in the month. So the family thought we were done. Surely that would be all, right? Nope. A year later, the youngest daughter, Jill, was diagnosed at age 51. Another double mastectomy. Another family member who survived breast cancer.

As of today, the twins are the only daughters who have not had breast cancer. All of us girl cousins (3rd generation) are actually looking at this as a “not if, but when…” And our doctors are actually recommending getting a prophylactic double mastectomy and full hysterectomy at age 43, 42, or 41 (depending on the age our mothers were diagnosed and subtract 10 years).

That puts me at getting major surgery to remove all my woman parts in 3 years! Whoa.

(By the way, my mom and her sisters have been tested for the BRCA gene and all came back negative.)

I hope this shows you how passionate I am about understanding all the things about breast cancer, how it affects us, what we can do about it, and more.

And to be honest, if I’m willing to remove my woman parts at age 43, then is there also other things I could/should be doing at home to make a difference in my breast health?

And this is what this month is all about! I welcome you to come, learn, comment, share your stories, and gain insight in to breast health from a variety of angles. My hope is that you walk away encouraged, enlightened, filled with hope, and gain more knowledge and insight in how to take care of yourself or your daughters when it comes to breast cancer.

This month is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent breast cancer in you. It is meant as information and education only. I am not a doctor/medical professional. Please talk to you doctor if you have concerns about your own breast health.