CheekyChicago

Just in case you haven’t noticed the color pink everywhere you look, October is breast cancer awareness month. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime, so it is vitally important that all women develop a proactive strategy to manage their breast health.

So how do you prevent breast cancer (or, at least, make sure it’s caught at an early, non life-threatening stage)? While there isn’t a perfect solution or a one-size-fits-all regimen to follow, here are five simple things you can do to be proactive about your health today.

1) Know your body. Be familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts. Whether that means a quick rub down to check for lumps in the shower or glancing at your reflection for changes in color or contour, time spent checking out your chest or feeling yourself up is time well spent! And be sure to speak up and contact your doctor if you notice any changes. Just because you find changes doesn’t mean they’re cancerous, but be responsible and get yourself checked out. Find a doctor you trust and always ask questions. At the end of the day, you know your body best and are responsible for getting the care you deserve.

Also, one of the best ways to regularly monitor your breast health is with “Underwire Alerts.” It’s a once-a-month free text message reminder to be breast self aware and you can sign-up by texting PINK to 59227.

2) Live a healthy lifestyle. Incorporate cancer-fighting foods in your diet like extra virgin olive oil, spinach, blueberries, walnuts and other leafy green vegetables. In addition, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol intake and not smoking are all known to decrease cancer risk to some degree. While every Cheeky girl deserves a cocktail or glass of wine, try to drink in moderation and also maintain a healthy body weight.

3) Spark the conversation with family members. Find out which relatives had cancer, what type and when they were diagnosed. Creating a family medical history is critical to forecasting your own health risks. While many people think breast cancer only runs on the mother’s side of the family, the father’s side is equally important in determining one’s risk. If breast cancer is prevalent in either side of your family, share the information with your doctor and see if it makes sense to talk to a genetics counselor. Also, the presence of cancer in your family tree could determine your timing for screening. Ideally, you should start the screening process 10 years before your family member was diagnosed, so be sure to bring this information to your doctor so he or she can help develop a personalized screening strategy for you. For instance, if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 45, it’s important to start your breast cancer screening at age 35.

4) Remember that breast cancer is not our mother’s disease. Breast cancer can affect both older and younger women and can strike unexpectedly. When a younger woman is diagnosed – rare, but possible –the cancer is usually caught at a later stage and can be more aggressive. For this reason, it’s imperative to be aware of your body and breast health in your 20s and 30s. It can literally save your life.

5) Support the cause! Visit bebrightpink.org, attend breast cancer fundraisers and educational sessions. and volunteer time for breast cancer organizations. Even the little things make a powerful impact. If you buy Orbit White Bubblemint gum during the month of October, a percentage of proceeds will benefit Bright Pink’s outreach and support programs. Chew for a worthy cause!

Lindsay Avner is the Founder and Executive Director of Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization that provides education, support and a sense of community to young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. For more information, please visit www.bebrightpink.org.