Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, Friend, Blogger

If you're reading my blog, you're likely one of the above. Unless, of course, you're Jeff, who lurks from time to time.

And unless you're from another planet, you know that October is Breast Awareness Month.


Lots and lots of pink ribbons. Lots of survivors and supporters walking and raising money for breast cancer research. Heck, even the NFL is doing their part to raise awareness about breast cancer this month.

We're told that if you're over 40, you need a mammogram at least every other year. I had mine in September. My mom had hers in September, too. What about you? Do you have yours like you're supposed to? It's really not bad at all. The surroundings are very calm. The technician who does it for you is very gentle and understanding. Every time I've had one it's been a woman, so she certainly knows what it feels like to have your boob mashed for a few seconds. And that's really all it is. A gentle, but firm pressing of your boob between two pieces of equipment. Kinda like a boob sandwich.

But.. . here's what I don't do. I don't do self-examination. I don't know why, but it just creeps me out and I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack right there in the shower. I'm in total fear of feeling something in my breast that I shouldn't feel. I just can't do it.

It's so important though. I mean, really we should know our breast better than anyone. Research shows that "feeling your boobies" is just as effective at identifying changes or lumps as doing a formal self-breast exam. Did you know that? I didn't until I found this site. It also gave me this useful info:

How to feel your boobies.
use pads of fingers
press firmly
examine collarbone and underarm area

What to look for.
lumps or thickening
puckering or inflammation
nipple discharge

When to feel your boobies.
in the shower
while getting dressed
whenever you want

So let's do it girls. Let's feel our boobies and get our mammograms like we're supposed to. After all, as wives, moms, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, cousins, friends, and bloggers, we have A LOT of people depending on us!

Till tomorrow, think pink.