By Cheryl Mattox Berry
Although the calendar says it’s fall, pink is everywhere this month. That’s because October is set aside to promote breast cancer awareness. Unless someone in your family has been affected by breast cancer, you probably won’t pay much attention to all the pink products, fundraisers, public service announcements and news stories.
Don’t blow off Breast Cancer Awareness Month as something for old ladies. This is the time for a young lady to learn about her breasts and other parts of her body. Unless you know what is normal, you may not recognize when something is abnormal.
Take a few minutes to study your body, all of it. Undress and examine every square inch from head to toe. Notice where you have moles. Feel their texture and make a mental note of their size, color and shape.
Examine your breasts, using your mother’s self-exam chart. If she doesn’t have one, go to http://ww5.komen.org and print one for her and yourself. Pay close attention to how your breasts look and feel. The best time to check is one week after your menstrual period begins because they are least likely to be swollen and tender.
If you discover something that alarms you, tell your mother so that she can determine whether you need to see a doctor. The self-exam will give you baseline information for future comparison purposes. Examine your body at least once a year in your teens. Make it one of the things you do on your birthday.
Breast cancer is most common in women over age 50, but the disease can be diagnosed at any age. My friend, Robbie Bell, was 22 when she discovered a lump in her breast. Robbie, now 67, is one of the longest living breast cancer survivors.
National Bullying Prevention Month
The spotlight is also on bullying this month. Are there problems at your school? If you’re aware of bullying incidents, report them to the principal. For information on how to start an anti-bullying campaign at school, go to http://www.pacer.org/Bullying
When you see someone intimidating another student, call out the bully. Let him/her know that the behavior is unacceptable. Stand up. Speak out. Stop Bullying.
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