So, I weighed in today, which is my official weigh in day, and I was down 2 lbs. I realized, since I was PMSing when I weighed in Sunday that it’s probably water loss but guess what: I’ll take it! 
I have a health question: how many women on this board to breast self examination? I guess that’s a weird question to ask but hey, it’s on my mind. One of the ladies I spent the week with in Montana is a four year breast cancer survivor. She turned 42 while we were camp. It just made me realize how I have neglected my health in this area. I visited the Susan Komen for the Cure website http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm today and am still searching around there as I am typing this. In fact, my hubby came in while I was watching a video and asked if there was something he needed to know. :) I told him no, that I am just trying to be informed.
A breast self-exam should be done once a month, at the end of your menstrual cycle or on the same day every month if you no longer have a cycle. Something on the site that surprised me is that only 5-10% of breast cancer cases are linked to genetic issues. It appears that lifestyle; exercise and diet may actually have more to do with breast cancer than anything. In fact, on the breast self awareness Breast Self-Awareness card you can print off lists four things to do to help early detection:
- Know your risks.
- Get Screened.
- Know what is normal for you.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices.
Under #4, the following three things were listed:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Add exercise to your routine.
- Limit alcohol intake.
I guess I’m just amazed at how much weight and exercise effect your overall health. This was just another way to bring home to me the importance of getting on track and staying there. There is so much at risk.
So, I am making a commitment to do a BSE every month at the end of my period. If I’m going to make healthy choices I might as well make them about everything and not just exercise and weight loss.
Now, to lighten things up a bit: here’s a funny for you (keep in mind that I work for an attorney);
A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000 word document and calls it a “brief.” 
I sort of do the BSE - there have been some studies recently that show it’s not all that effective, but whenever I have the slightest doubt I’d go to the doctor.
I had a baseline mammo done at age 36 too - they ended up doing an ultrasound on one breast that day because it was dense (it was nothing). I plan on getting the mammos every few years. I’m not at particularly high risk (don’t have breast cancer in my family) but I still take it seriously.
Your message is a good reminder to all of us.
July 8, 2008 @ 12:38 pm