Each year, October is pinkified as every one runs helter skelter to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness – the one campaign October is now synonymous with. I must confess I get a little jaded. I’m sorry! I realise I should be talking about it, because it is a pretty perfect fit for my blog. But you see, after 4 years of thinking pink in October, I tend to think “Whats the point of talking about it one time in a year when BSE is really a monthly affair?” I wore my pink ribbon proudly the first few years, and then when things got a little too commercialized I just left off.
But it was as I thought that, that I realised that October isn’t just about breast cancer – it is for Breast Cancer Awareness. We can be blinded by the pink around us, and the hustlers urging us to buy something pink to support their BCA cause, but what it ultimately is about is “awareness”. I know of a family friend who’s lost 2 sisters to breast cancer. I don’t know if they knew it might have been detected earlier and their lives saved or if they even knew it was possible.
Let us (and me) leave aside our cynicism and remember that what this campaign is about is to raise the awareness of breast cancer, and to remind us that breast cancer can be cured with early detection. Breast cancer is not a death sentence. But early detection is key.
All women should conduct your own Breast Self Examination (BSE) every month. No one else knows your own body as well as you do and you will be the best person to notice a change and get medical advice if necessary. All it takes is just 10 minutes.
How to do a Breast Self-Exam
- Lie down in a comfortable position and place your hand behind your head. You will examine the breast below the arm behind your head e.g. right hand = right breast and vice versa
- Use the finger tips of your other hand and gently palpate your breast without lifting your fingers from the nipple outwards. You want your fingers to cover as wide an area as possible to ensure you cover the whole breast area. Keep your touch light.
- Familiarize yourself with your breast so you notice any changes in it.
- Do not only examine your breast and nipple area, but also the area around your breast
- Include checking in and around the arm pit. Sometimes lumps can start at the nodules in the arm pit
- End by lightly squeezing the nipple and check if there is any discharge – no discharge is good.
I was taught how to do a BSE at a gynaecological check up a few years ago which is pretty much what is summarized here. I do recommend you ask a doctor to teach you how to do a BSE because they will be able to tell you if you are doing it right and also tell you if what you are feeling is normal. The breast is mostly fat with a muscle underneath so sometimes, it can be worrying to feel the muscle and think its a lump, without realizing that its normal. So I do recommend seeing a doctor and getting everything cleared for normality so you then know what to expect of an abnormality. How else will you know if its abnormal right?
The other thing of course is when to do it – right after your period. If you do it before, the results will not be accurate because breasts sometimes swell before your period so you don’t know what your normal breast feels like. Naturally, pregnant women will also feel differently so it is probably best to check with a doctor for these things.
If you notice an anomaly, get it checked out – it could be nothing, or it could be a valid concern but there is no use sitting at home worrying. As with all diseases, the earlier it is detected, the higher the chances of being cured so in keeping with the Awareness theme, be aware of this and if the time is right, go and do your BSE.
Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns
The Estee Lauder Group runs an annual BCA campaign where they raise funds for NGOs and non profit organizations. Locally, they support the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA), Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) and provide free or subsidised mammogram screenings through The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and College of Radiology Malaysia. Funds are raised by direct donations, or through the sale of limited edition items in the under the brands in the Estee Lauder Group of Companies.
Something like this one – Evelyn Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection (RM85) (tiger not included)
You get a pink pouch and a limited edition shade of Estee Lauder Pure Color Shimmering Lipstick in Wildly Pink with 20% of the retail price donated towards breast cancer research. There is another set with a lighter shade of lipstick. I realize this is pretty much me breaking all my personal rules, but I really liked the colour of the lipstick and I get it at its usual price (or maybe even a wee bit cheaper) and a useful pouch (been looking for one small enough) and I do a little bit for the cause. You can purchase it at any Estee Lauder counter while stocks last. I picked mine up at the Estee Lauder Pink Fashion Night Out at Pavilion KL (ongoing till 16 October till 10pm) before the lighting up in pink of 3 iconic areas in Kuala Lumpur – KL Tower, Sultan Abdul Samad Building near Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Bukit Bintang.
Also, speaking of boobs, Woopz Bikinis has a Woopz <3 Boobs Campaign where the person who shares the most creative way of raising the awareness of monthly and regular Breast Self Exams stand to win a free bikini. So use your social media channels to get the word out! For a small and new outfit I think they have taken the right track of not just asking you to buy a pink bikini to support Breast Cancer Awareness, but to actually make you think about getting family and friends aware enough to perform their BSE. Kudos to them and if you’d like to participate even if just for fun, here’s the link to the contest. Do support their cause because they really aren’t asking you to buy anything! Contest ends 31 October, and for the record, I’m not participating just giving them a shout out so you can ;)
Do you do a breast self-exam regularly? Do you know how? I know this isn’t something one really discusses around the dinner table but it might be something to think about, and to talk to your family and friends about. See your doctor if you have to, to learn the proper techniques. Ultimately, its your health and your boobs you’re saving.
A Public Service Announcement from your friendly local beauty blogger :)
Paris B
At the age of 17, I had a classmate who lost both her breasts because of breast cancer. Unfortunately, it does take a little something as shocking as this to raise awareness. I’ve been VERY good at doing this since I was 17 and my doctor usually gives me a once-over check just to make sure all is still well. I can’t even begin to emphasize how important this is. As you’ve said, early detection is the key.
Well done on raising the awareness this way. Like you said, I’m a little jaded with the consumerism to it. (Remember our conversation of the pink Ralph Lauren tshirt?)
Gosh! At 17, that is awfully traumatizing! :( And back in the day, we just didn’t have the awareness as we do now. I’ve stopped looking at and featuring pink BCA stuff. Its one thing to buy because you want it but another to buy with the perception that you’re doing your bit… when you’re really just padding the pockets of the companies.
Its quite rare for women to get breast ca before 30. Usually growth before 30 is benign.
Tips when u discover a lump anywhere in your breast [Note that this is the most common cases, but may not be always right.]:
1. When u found a lump, DO NOT panic YET
2. Check whether the lump is hard/ soft/ firm. (reference of soft is nose, firm is chin and hard is forehead.)
3. Try to move the lump. If its movable aka mobile, thats good news.
4. feel whether the lump’s edge/surface is regular, smooth or rough, bumpy.
5. observe for any skin changes above the lump or any nipple changes.
Generally, a soft/firm, mobile lump with regular and smooth surface is BENIGN. Especially when one’s age is bellow 30. This growth called fibroadenoma,is fairly commonly seen. At least I see several cases of it each week. Some people have multiple of them.
Doctor usually just leave the lump alone and advice regular yearly check up.
BUT benign growth can turn malignant when we grow old so its very important to compliant to follow up each year! Every woman’s chance of getting a breast cancer is increased once we pass 30. if you have family history of any cancer, its always good to remove it.
In case of hard OR irregular surface OR immobile lump OR any skin changes noticed, GO AND CONSULT A DOCTOR ASAP!
May we all have healthy boobies!
Thank you so much for sharing Gin :) Those are very good tips to take away especially the one about not panicking if you come across a lump. Sometimes, if you don’t know what exactly you’re looking for, coming across a bump is very frightening, even if it isn’t serious. The best thing to do is to see a doctor and have one’s fears settled :)
I have to admit I don’t do a monthly checkup, so thanks for the reminder. I know how to check, but I just let my gynecologist feel me up during a visit LOL.
Do we get to see you in Wildly Pink? :)
I’ll feature Wildly Pink if you like :) The shower is a good place to do a check up – you’re already in the buff, and its easy to just do a quick check once a month ;)
We do think alike as I just posted about BCA awareness over the weekend :) Too cute on “Tiger not included” :P
Yes Nikki I saw that too! :D Yay for us for raising awareness :D Had to include the caveat in case someone thinks they get a free tiger with purchase LOL!
I am always worrying bout breast cancer…coming from a background of grand dad dying from lung cancer…everything makes me panic especially when its the time of the month..I haven’t done any checking..but I do regularly check on my own..even not being 30 yet precautions has to be taken…I so hope that I won’t get it..but I would in every way support any campaign for cancer just so that they feel that they will always be silence supporter out there…..
Hi Laila having a history of cancer in the family does raise the stakes, which is where early detection is important. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude will go miles towards reducing the risk factor. Thank you so much for sharing this info with us!
Ah, wise and apt words there :D
I have a cousin who had breast cancer, but thankfully early detection saved her life and her boob as well. 3 years ago I myself had a scare too- I was doing my BSE (Taught to me by my Mum’s and my gynaecologist) and discovered a bump near my left breast, somewhere underneath the armpit. Visits to the gynae and checks were made but thankfully it turned out that it was actually a ligament- hardened because I’ve previously injured my left side in an accident. It wasn’t technically near the breast, but it was close, hence the scare :P It’s kind of scary though and I’ve been vigilantly doing my BSEs :)
Thanks for sharing! It must have been very scary to discover something untoward in your body. So glad it checked out fine :)
Off-topic: (tiger not included) <- love that! :D
LOL had to give a disclaimer just in case coz you never know :P
What if I can’t detect it? Is it necessary to go for an ultrasound or a mammogram? I’m 27.
I believe mammograms are really only necessary once a woman hits her 40s. Unless there is something to worry about, or something that needs checking out. Otherwise, a tactile feel would be able to detect if something is off. I suggest you speak to a doctor, learn the proper way to do a BSE, find out from the doctor what normal feels like and you should have a better idea of what abnormal may be :) Also if you go for annual check ups, they usually do a breast examination too.
i so love that most of your photos contain this cute tiger. i have a similar one which was given by my dad when i was 7 and my daughter now still plays with it :)
Aww that’s adorable! I can just imagine her with your pet tiger :D