As October is coming to a close and I am healing more and more week by week I’ve been thinking about how powerful it is that we have a month dedicated to breast cancer awareness. I can honestly say that never before have I appreciated it or felt a personal connection with it as I do now.
I’ve known other women that have had breast cancer, I have even lost a dear friend of my high school years to this thief. I’ve always taken note of the pink ribbons, the pink socks and cleats worn during football games, and all of the packaging that is suddenly pink for the month. I was directly affected by a different type of cancer, pancreatic, I never really thought that breast cancer would infiltrate my life. So, while I noticed the pink around, it was just that, pink all around for a month. It’s so much more now.
As a girl I’ve liked pink, when I was little I had a pink room but it hasn’t been my favorite. Now, I’m drawn to it, I want all the pink, it fuels me in some way. There is power in pink, femininity, strength, hope, change, encouragement and inspiration. It shouts and whispers all at the same time pushing me forward when I’m tired or discouraged and reminding me how far I’ve come, never letting me forget. Gentle and bold.
My dear champions, as October comes to a close, think about pink. What does it mean to you? Let it be a reminder of strength, courage and beauty. Let it be a reminder that breast cancer can touch anyone and everyone. Men and women alike. You don’t have to be 65 to get breast cancer, you don’t have to be 40 to start checking ( I was not yet 40 when I was diagnosed). I was touched and inspired by my friends that posted about their mammograms this month. Truth is a mammogram can be scary, especially the waiting for the results. Having breast cancer in no way makes me any kind of expert.
What I do know is there are multiple types of breast cancers and each case is specific to that person. I am young to have breast cancer, but I know some women that have battled it much younger. I did not have any lumps or external signs, without a mammogram my cancer would have gone unnoticed. For some an ultra sound or MRI might be necessary.
I also know that we are exposing ourselves to chemicals and toxins on a regular basis that are directly linked to breast cancer. They are in our cleaning products, in our beauty products, shampoos/conditioners, our makeup and so much more. On average as women and girls we expose ourselves to approximately 300 different chemicals and toxins on a daily basis. And there are better, healthier products within our reach, we just don’t know it.
I am realizing more and more that I am not alone, there are women all around me that have battled this enemy. None of us are immune, not even men.
So, my amazing champions and sweet friends please be proactive. Know your family history, if you have a family history of cancers (not just breast) talk to a doctor about getting checked (at any age), be self aware, do self checks. Make changes in your beauty routine, even if it’s starting small.
Be brave, be bold.
Even in breast cancer there is beauty to be found, in the strength and courage it produces, in the champions that surround you. It doesn’t matter how we are touched by it, we are all Pretty in Pink.
