Take charge of your own health with self-breast examinations

Tatyana Ross
Editor-in-Chief

October has been commonly known as Breast Cancer Awareness month since 1985. Breast cancer is also the most common cancer in women in the United States.

I truly believe that breast cancer awareness is important in our communities, no matter what the culture, race, shape, size, or religious background. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is not limited to women. Though it is rare for men to develop breast cancer, it is not impossible.

Breast cancer is hereditary on both maternal and paternal sides of my family, so growing up it has contributed to a large portion of my life. My family has had to deal with death and several diagnoses because of this disease and it does not get easier.

I was doing some research after the death of my great aunt, Ruth Bell, to breast cancer in February of 2020. She was the baby of 13 children, seven girls and six boys.

Two of my great aunts have also been diagnosed with breast cancer. Leading up to her death, it was hard on my entire family at first. However, she had been sick for a few months by this point. I think when she passed, my family had already come to terms with it.

Personally, it was still a major loss to us all and it was almost traumatizing to see her so weak. Our family misses her but we always remember that she fought a good fight.

I will forever be grateful for the time I got to spend with her, the memories we made, and all the lessons she taught me in life. My doctors have always stressed the importance of consistent self-examinations.

In my own research, I found that self-examinations have been determined to be the most effective way to find breast cancer in its earliest stages. The National Breast Cancer Association said it is best to conduct a self-examination at least once a month.

There are three main positions in self-examinations, in the shower, in front of the mirror, and lying down flat on the back. However, due to my family’s history with the disease, I have experienced my share of paranoia.

If you are worried like me, you should watch “Decoding Annie Parker”, a film based on a true story that explores the link of breast cancer through genetics.

I take time at least twice a week to fully examine myself because two of my aunt’s and at least one cousin has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

As time progresses and the quality of research increases, I hope doctors and other scientists can help create a cure. Until then, I will remain vigilant in monitoring my own health.