Feel your boobies

In October, my awesome friend Kristine mentioned in an email that she had found a lump in her breast while doing a self exam. Fibrocystic Disease runs in her family so she wasn't terribly worried. Well, after tests and a biopsy, it came back that she has breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy performed last month and starts Chemo this month. She will follow up with radiation when the chemo is done. Kristine is a strong woman and I know she will come through this beautifully and will be an example to others. The thing about this that struck me, was that she didn't do exams regularly (like me) but just happened to do one at a critical time so that the cancer could be found. She is 38 years old! Wow. Anyway, she is a survivor and I know everything will turn out well. The thing I want to share is the importance of monthly self exams! I have started doing them regularly and am going to post a reminder on my blog every month. If you're worried that you're not doing them right, talk to your doctor or nurse. If you feel uncomfortable doing them-I'm pretty sure surgery, chemo and radiation are much worse. Here is a link to the American Cancer Society page with instructions. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_How_to_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp
Time to feel your boobies!