What's YOUR Neighborhood Like??

Have you ever gone back to the town where you grew up after being away for a few years, and notice the things that have changed?  "Oh, the gas station on the corner closed up!"  or "What happened to Murphy's Tavern?  It's now a pool hall??" or "Whoa, they built a new post office??"  You knew that town.  You explored the streets when you were a teen, hangin' with your friends.  It was familiar to you.

Are you that familiar with your breasts??  (enter sound effects of car screeching to a halt).  WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?????  Okay, stay with me for a minute.  This is one time I don't digress!!

You see, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  And a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I decided that I would be a bit of a nagging angel to my friends and family when it came to getting their mammograms.  I try to send something out each year reminding them to go for their mammogram.  But monthly breast self exams (BSE's) are important, too.  BSE's allow you to learn the terrain of your breasts.  You learn what's not right when you exam them once a month. 

It's true not all breast cancer can be felt.  Especially when it's early.  I was one who would not have felt the cancer had I been doing a monthly BSE (which I wasn't).  But since going thru the surgery and radiation, I've taken a class on what to look/feel for.  I have learned the terrain, scar tissue and all.  I know my neighborhood. 

So, I'm here to nag you into

1) schedule your mammogram,

2) learn how to do a breast self-exam, and

3) learn your neighborhood. 

Don't wait til you're in your 40's or 50's.  Do it now.  Do it for your family.  Do it for you.