Take Control of Your Health this October

Editor’s note: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The author of this piece is not a doctor and the information in this post should not be considered medical advice. Information here was provided by the American Cancer Society and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

While most people look forward to October for Halloween and the changing of seasons, apple picking, fall baking, or what have you, I embrace October as a great and powerful reminder that life is fleeting and meant to be lived to the fullest.

In our house, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has always been important. When I was small, my maternal grandmother was diagnosed and passed away from a second and very long battle with breast cancer. Years later, my paternal grandmother developed and battled breast cancer multiple times, until it finally took her life last year.

This October is an even starker reminder of how important this month is as we get ready to bring my mother for her first biopsy due to a very small suspicious mark on her most recent mammogram. It’s a reminder of how necessary these prevention services are, and we must take advantage of everything science has made available to us so that we can detect even the smallest issues before they become larger ones.

It’s a reminder to take control of our bodies and our healthcare as early as possible.

Being part of a military family, and one that recently PCS’d at that, means that I cannot always be home for one of my mom’s doctor’s appointments or consults. It is difficult, and it’s weighing pretty heavily on my conscience, but it makes me so happy to know that she’s been proactive about this situation for years, ahead of the game every step of the way, and confident that she will be able to tackle whatever lies in the near future, head on.

So this October, be sure to be strong for your military family and get an annual breast cancer screening. Whether that means going to a dedicated appointment, getting checked during your annual gynecological visit, or at the very least, doing a self-exam.

Here are some tips for making sure you stay in control of your health, this, and every, October:

• If you haven’t done so already, perform monthly breast self-exams. Discuss any changes or concerns with your doctor. Here’s a great site on how.
• Always go for regular screenings and checks, especially if you’re aware of a family member having breast cancer or any other form of cancer.
• Get a mammogram. A woman should have a mammogram every one or two years after the age of 40 to ensure standing health, and you should start earlier if you’re at a higher risk for developing cancer.
• Get screened for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes to find out your genetic likelihood of developing cancer.
• Develop and keep healthy habits like not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying at a healthy weight for your body type.
• But seriously, don’t smoke. Just don’t. There are no health benefits to smoking, and it can only increase your risk of breast cancer or other related cancers and diseases.
• Remember that breast cancer does not only affect women, men can be diagnosed as well, so be sure to get your husbands, significant others, and family members checked just as you are in annual appointments.
• Contact Tricare, or your other insurance provider, to better understand what preventive care you are entitled to in your benefits package. Take control of your health and stay on top of it!

Breast cancer can be beaten. October is a great month to reflect on all the advancements we’ve made, how far we’ve come, and where the future is going to one day strike out breast cancer altogether. And be sure to donate to any of the major research foundations, cancer institutes, and/or societies; they do fabulous work for patients, survivors, and caregivers that is not to be overlooked!

Enjoy October and remember to take control of your health and be strong for your military family. They count on you!