It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That means men and women have the responsibility to think about breast cancer. How can we prevent it? This is our bodies; our lives. Our health is our livelihood. Without great health, it's impossible to think, feel and be sexy. So this is a public service announcement. Think about it. Prevent breast cancer. GetLusty's Tia reports.
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It’s October. For most people, red leaves, cute new sweaters, and Halloween come to mind. For some of us, our boobies become a priority. After all, it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. On average, one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Although breast cancer is the second leading cause of death amongst women, death rates have been declining since 1990. However, breast cancer will continue to exist as a burden on both men and women’s lives across the world. So in honor of those who have experienced breast cancer themselves or in their families, we’re going to talk about preventative care.
Below are three preventive tips in the fight against breast cancer:
#1 Know your medical history.
Ask your mom and dad if they know of anyone in their family that had a type of cancer and specifically, breast cancer. Because there is no exact reference in diagnosing the cause of this particular type of disease, genetics, family history, and personal changes in the body all need to be examined.
#2 Know your tits.
If you’re experiencing liquid coming out of your nipples and you’re not nursing or pregnant, contact your doctor. If your breasts get a little more lumpy or sore during your period, that could be normal.
During your period, your breasts could appear to feel more sensitive or even look bigger. All of these are normal, but they may not be normal for you depending on your age and time of month. My best advice is to always have a yearly breast examination after the age of 20. After the age of 35, depending on your medical history, your doctor may request you come every 6-8 months. Either way, listen to your healthcare provider. Their job is to help your body stay healthy.
There are a couple of ways to do a breast self-exam. One way includes lifting your right arm and using your left hand as the examination tool. Use three fingers and start from the armpit. With or without hair, you should be able to feel any lumps by moving your fingers in a circular motion.
Don’t be alarmed if you feel texture underneath the skin—that’s normal. However, if you feel a pea-sized lump, I’d go ahead to the other side and see if the other side has it too. No body is the same and sometimes, the body produces fat cells and our lymph nodes can become swollen. Now, take those three fingers and that circular motion and go across the breast. Then, switch hands and do the other one. Because changes occur at different times of the month, practice doing it while you are on your period and while you aren’t and see if there are any changes. Simply being aware of your own body could save your life.
I know this article probably didn't make your nipples hard. I get it. It’s a touchy subject (literally). However, it’s important to not only know this stuff, but to practice it. Not only for women, but for the one percent of men who get breast cancer too. For the curious men out there reading this: get to know your woman’s breasts. In many cases, you’ll be the only one giving them the attention they deserve. For the woman, with her hand up her shirt reading this: the next time you see your mister, go ahead and slowly rub his chest. You might have to explain why, but trust me, it’s worth the explanation.
Call her Tia. She's a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her college career, she was part of a volunteer group called the Sexual Health Peers where she bonded with like-minded, sex-positive people from various backgrounds and orientations. She has taught workshops on STDs, birth control, safe sex, and relationships. It was one of the highlights of her college career and allowed her to get involved in Planned Parenthood of Illinois in Action. She was a Campaign Organizer who stood for the reproductive rights of women in Illinois. As a third-wave feminist, she currently works in the makeup industry promoting what she believes in: women should feel and be as beautiful as they want to without scrutiny. She believes in teaching factual and healthy outlooks on sex and relationships as a way to create a sex-positive culture where future generations can thrive.
