Dare I say ‘Happy’ Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, I’m Happy to Bring Forth Awareness.

A couple years ago, I shared a personal story about how my grandmother passed away at the young age of 31-years-old, after a double mastectomy. Also, how my aunts from both sides of my family beat cancer. For these reasons, contracting breast cancer is one of my biggest fears.

I am so thankful to be in good health but, I do want to stress the importance of preventative checkups and self exams. This is the only time I’ll tell you to ignore that doctor that says you are too young to get a mammogram because you are not! Your early 20’s is the perfect time.

At 24, I felt my first “bump.” It was literally the scariest doctor appointment I’ve ever had. Luckily, the needle biopsy revealed that it was negative. Since then, I continued to go every 3 months then 6 months. Then, I went every year until I was 26-year-old and actually felt something. I had a MRI and thankfully the results were negative.

When I was in South Africa, I felt something again. My past experiences taught me that my breasts are prone bumps. Instead of panicking, I got checked as soon as I got home. Once again, the results were negative.

These experiences that I acquired overtime taught me that it’s best to have peace of mind as well as be in a position to detect tumors early. Moral of the story, you are never too young for preventative breast examinations!

DO Your Self Breast Exams!

1)In The Shower

With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.

2)In Front of a Mirror

Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

3)Lying Down

When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.