September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and my birthday month. Is there a correlation? Probably just for me, but the irony is NOT wasted on me. At this age many people just say, it’s another day, oh well. For me, I look forward to it like a small child. Not because of cake and presents, but because I’m alive to celebrate it. In a few months I will have my 7 year check up, an event fairly rare with this type of cancer, so I’m ecstatic to be having another birthday that puts me that much closer to being labeled cancer free AGAIN! I have vowed to tell my story every year in hopes of raising awareness. My story was not just pure luck. In today’s world it’s hard work to stay on top of awareness, healthy eating and a positive lifestyle, but it is also SOOOOO worth it! BE AWARE. BE VIGILANT. BE HEALTHY. BE POSITIVE.
SEPTEMBER IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! I’ve always been a good girl and gotten my yearly well woman exams. I know my own body. I started getting my mammograms at a very early age because of a serious family history of breast cancer. I have a degree in the health field. I am aware, yet imagine my surprise at my well woman appointment when they said they thought I might have a serious problem – Merry Christmas (December 2010) to me! Imagine my shock a few weeks later when it was confirmed.
Take control of your health and reduce your cancer risk.Despite getting my yearly well woman exams I had been having a few pains here and there for several months before my scheduled appointment, but ignored them because they “mimicked” my chronic appendix of many, many years. I ignored them and it almost killed me. Are YOU ignoring something that you should be having a doctor check? Think twice and make an appointment 1st thing tomorrow.
Ovarian cancer has an ugly step sister too, breast cancer. If you have any family history please get tested for BRCA also. You have probably heard about it with a few celebrities having chosen to remove their breasts after testing positive. It’s a simple blood test and can give you a world of relief to know the answer and if by chance it’s not relief, then your are armed to save your life with positive choices. You can learn more about it here. Because of my family history I not only got BRCA done, but I was ready to act on it f necessary. Being prepared mentally is one of the best things to do fo yourself.
I cannot say it enough:
Here are a few other tips to get you started.
- Stay away from tobacco.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Get moving with regular physical activity.
- Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
- Protect your skin.
- Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
- Have regular check-ups and cancer screening tests.
- For information on how to reduce your cancer risk and other questions about cancer, please call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit THEM online at www.cancer.org.