🎀 7 Tips from Our Resident Breast Cancer Survivor Sofs 🎀
Anyone can get breast cancer — men included — no matter how much or little breast tissue you have.
Check your body regularly, so you can notice any unusual changes if they occur. I found a lump in my breast that turned out to be Stage 1 Breast Cancer, which I beat in no small part due to early detection.
If you have a history of cancer in your family, you should start getting screened earlier than the average person (typically, screenings begin at 40).
For about $250, which is frequently covered by insurance and/or financial assistance may be available, you can meet with a genetic counselor in person or online to do a thorough genetic workup and explain the results to you. Check out findageneticcounselor.com to find one near you. (Not a sponsored post)
There are a ton of carcinogenic pesticides on our fruits and veggies, but eating completely organic is expensive, so I like to refer to this list of clean and dirty produce to help you choose which fruit and veggies need the splurge.
If you have dense breasts, a mammogram will most likely be inconclusive for you, so avoid the extra hassle and cost by asking for an ultrasound or an MRI, which is what they will recommend after the mammogram is inconclusive.
Last but not least, be your own best advocate with medical professionals by preparing all your questions in advance and writing them down, recording the answers on your phone so you can listen to them/watch them later, and do your homework by speaking with people that have gone through the same thing.
More Breast Cancer Stats and Tips
From cancer.org
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2020, approximately 30% of all new women's cancer diagnoses were breast cancer.
There are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
There have been an estimated 375,900 fewer breast cancer deaths than a decade ago due to early detection and increased breast cancer awareness.
Three Ways to Perform a Self Breast Exam
1) In the Shower
With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.
2) In Front of a Mirror
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples.
Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
3) Lying Down
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast, gently covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
For more information about preventative measures, stages, and other questions, check out nationalbreastcancer.org.
Fresh Private Parts Unknown Episodes 💕
For episode 66, we talked to globetrotting author Joan Foor. This 80-something badass spoke to us about her experience solo traveling throughout Europe in 1964 and writing a fascinating memoir about love and adventure during the pandemic. We are OBSESSED with her. Don't miss this ep!
➡️ BUY HER BOOK HERE!!! ⬅️
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we do something a little different, and Courtney interviews Sofiya about her experience as a breast cancer survivor. We explore one woman's experience battling Stage 1 “triple positive” breast cancer, including what it's like to find a lump and get the diagnosis, some tips for making chemotherapy feel manageable, how to be a supportive friend to someone with breast cancer, an unexpected silver lining, and more.
Here’s to many more years of health and happiness!
xo Cokes & Sof