I’m going to be serious here for a moment. It doesn’t happen often or last very long, so listen up:
October is breast cancer awareness month. I’m sure all of you know how serious breast cancer can be and how important early detection is in the successful treatment of this disease.
As someone who had a biopsy* the week following her first ever mammogram, self-checks have become a far less embarrassing concept than they had been up to that point.
It doesn’t matter if you’re female or male—self-checks can save your life or the life of someone you love.
Remember TLC:
Touch — get to know what your breasts or chest feels like so you’ll know if anything changes.
Look — same thing; this is no time for modesty or body shame.
Consult — if you have any concerns or worries, ask a health care professional as soon as possible.
There’s even a free app that will provide monthly reminders, in a way that’s difficult to ignore.
And here’s where the serious moment ends—told you they were brief—because the video promoting this app is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long, long time:
This is clearly aimed at a specific demographic, but it’s still effective—four people** sent me this and I saw it last week on two websites. I know if I had a phone that did anything but make phone calls, I’d download this in a second.
And it certainly reinforces TLC!
It’s not often that an important health message is delivered with such memorable hilarity. I’d like to see this one go viral.
Share a laugh, save a life.
Please pass it along.
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* Benign, fibrous, and no scares since. But it did focus my attention.
**Two of whom aren’t in the specific demographic.
Earful of Cider 
Glad to hear everything is okay. I’m terrible with self checks. This video may just be my impetus to start.
And mine.
I hope so — they’re so easily dismissed, and so very important!
I’ve seen this video and I love it. If it helps one person, of any demographic, then it’s done it’s job.
Exactly. Show it around, wouldja, Sarah? 🙂
Years ago I did the Susan G. Komen 5K in Chicago. There were over 100K people there, and the number wearing “Survivor” hats was staggering. Of all of the runs I’ve done, a considerable amount in total, that was by far the most moving, and the most powerful. We never think it could happen to us, and in a sea of pink, you get the reality check, that yes it does. Every day.
Phew. Biopsys are so frightening. It’s not the pain, it’s the panic. Phew for you. Double phew.
We have a terrific turnout for the local Komen Run here. I’m not sure which brings more tears — the survivor hats, or the “in memory of” shirts. Either way, it really brings it home.
I used to work at an oncology clinic, and they had a model of a woman’s breast with a lump in it. It’s surprisingly hard to find those little guys. At our house, the monthly breast exam is a game for my husband–and way more fun than self-checks, let me tell you.
Good point, Averil. And a great suggestion! 🙂