Hey It October and in America that means baseball, football, and "Breast Cancer Awareness". Everyone is encoraged to "think pink", from the NFL to yogurt to cleaning supplies to candy. Some say businesses are taking advantage of this serious problem.
We see it all. Now its not just pink ribbons and jewelery to bring awareness to this disease.
There is a site that does a boobie-thon. Where real women submit photos of thier boobs with and with out coverage. People donate money to see the uncovered ones and that money goes to charity. Not everyone's cup of tea. There are "boobie balls" in Canada. There are walks and runs to raise money. We have sexy informmercials and the "Save the Tata's Line" of shirts and gifts. I own a "Rocking Tata's Shirt" myself. There are websites that tell the survivors' stories.
It is those stories and "Save the Tata's" that bring me to the point I wanted to make. A few years ago "Save the Tata's" has men's shirts that stated "Save Second Base" and "Save A Life, Grope Your Wife". There were funny but didn't stick out in my mind. Then this year I saw a survivor story story that got my attention. A few years ago, a woman who is now my age discovered her cancer in non-traditional way...foreplay. She and her husband were "fooling around" and his hand hit her chest just right. He discovered a lump. She went to the doctor as soon as she could get in, it was cancer. She is now cancer free.
Since I read that story, I have been thinking on the fact that her husband, not her, noticed the change in her breast tissue. No matter if you are married, single, "its complicated", gay, or straight; if you are sexually active your partner pays closer attention then you do. I shower, put bras on, shave...but really don't pay any attention. They are basically an appendage, I have no current use for. My husband on the other hands pays close attention to them. He would probably notice changes before I would, even though I do monthly self exams.
So my point is: You and your partner are boobie health buddies. If the partner notices something off they need to let the boobie owner know. This is not only changes to tissue but skin changes to. We can get melanoma on breast skin as well. So for the owners: check with your partner if you think a freckle looks different or you have a lump, get them to check. Partners: same with you. If there is a new mole or freckle or lump; tell the owner.
Lecture over. Check yourself and/or your loved one.
PS. Men get it too. The American Cancer Society estimates that this year 1,910 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Also that 440 men will die from it.
