October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I am writing today's blog in honour of a very dear friend who is 7 years cancer free.

It's hard to find someone who hasn't been affected by some form of cancer. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian women. I personally know a number of women whether related, friend or acquaintance that have suffered from this wicked disease.

As a woman and mother of 2 teenage girls, breast cancer awareness is very important. All we can do is hope that we will somehow escape this terror. There is no rhyme or reason it attacks one of us over another. Thankfully our dear friend caught her lump early enough that it had barely even formed, just enough for her to question that there was something wrong with her breast.

It is important for all women to check their breasts monthly. Any irregular or change in breast tissue should be assessed by your doctor. If you get in to a routine of checking them once a month, you will have a better chance of finding something that isn't right if it happens. This is important for men and women to do, as men can get breast cancer as well...it's just not as common.

http://www.cbcf.org/bc/AboutUsMain/MediaCenter/Pages/default.aspx

October 19 is National Mammography Day. All provinces will sceen for breast cancer if you are between 50-69, but each province has different guidelines for screening from age 40-49. For screening locations in BC click on the following link:http://www.smpbc.ca/Program/Locations+and+Mobile+Services.htm