Even 30,000 feet up.....my town is still the best town.
B
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
My Lovely Lady Lumps: Part 2 - Educate Yourself
Self exams are a great start. But they're not all you should be doing.
Your second line of defense is your DOCTOR. Some people only see the doctor when they have a problem. The reality is, you should go for regular check-ups.
Here's the Blissie Boucher guide for your annual doctor visits:
1. Before visiting your doctor, make a list of any and all questions or concerns you may have. Doctor doesn't have time to sit down and speak to you before or after your exam? You may want to consider getting a new doctor. Nobody knows your body better than YOU do - so if you feel like something isn't right, you need to speak up.
The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.
A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing.
Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. In fact, regular Pap tests have led to a major decline in the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths.
For more information, you can visit womenshealth.gov or use this handy link to the PAP Test Fact Sheet.
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to look for changes that are not normal. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly into a computer for a doctor called a radiologist to examine.
A mammogram allows the doctor to have a closer look for changes in breast tissue that cannot be felt during a breast exam. It is used for women who have no breast complaints and for women who have breast symptoms, such as a change in the shape or size of a breast, a lump, nipple discharge, or pain. Breast changes occur in almost all women. In fact, most of these changes are not cancer and are called “benign,” but only a doctor can know for sure. Breast changes can also happen monthly, due to your menstrual period.
For more information, you can visit womenshealth.gov or use this handy link to the Mammogram Fact Sheet.
Now you know.
What will YOU do with this information?
Until next time,
B
This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the Concerned Bloggers Association. If you would like to become involved, please contact Marleen Vaughan for more information.
Your second line of defense is your DOCTOR. Some people only see the doctor when they have a problem. The reality is, you should go for regular check-ups.
Here's the Blissie Boucher guide for your annual doctor visits:
1. Before visiting your doctor, make a list of any and all questions or concerns you may have. Doctor doesn't have time to sit down and speak to you before or after your exam? You may want to consider getting a new doctor. Nobody knows your body better than YOU do - so if you feel like something isn't right, you need to speak up.
2. Get your regular tests. Yes, they're uncomfortable and downright invasive! But. They can SAVE YOUR LIFE. Blood, urine, pap, mammogram, pelvic. Suck it up and get them done regularly. Do your research before going to the doctor, so you're aware of what the tests involve.
What is a Pap test?
The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.
A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing.
Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. In fact, regular Pap tests have led to a major decline in the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths.
For more information, you can visit womenshealth.gov or use this handy link to the PAP Test Fact Sheet.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to look for changes that are not normal. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly into a computer for a doctor called a radiologist to examine.
A mammogram allows the doctor to have a closer look for changes in breast tissue that cannot be felt during a breast exam. It is used for women who have no breast complaints and for women who have breast symptoms, such as a change in the shape or size of a breast, a lump, nipple discharge, or pain. Breast changes occur in almost all women. In fact, most of these changes are not cancer and are called “benign,” but only a doctor can know for sure. Breast changes can also happen monthly, due to your menstrual period.
For more information, you can visit womenshealth.gov or use this handy link to the Mammogram Fact Sheet.
Now you know.
What will YOU do with this information?
Until next time,
B
This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the Concerned Bloggers Association. If you would like to become involved, please contact Marleen Vaughan for more information.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
My Lovely Lady Lumps: Part 1 - Knowing Them
Okay, let's face it. Boys and girls love the lady lumps. :) But like with all things, you've got to perform maintenance.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recommends a 3-step approach to breast cancer screening that includes, depending on a woman's age, a combination of mammography, clinical breast exams and breast self-exams.
As part of a total approach to breast health, women should become familiar with own bodies, play an active role in their health, and develop a close partnership with their health care providers. (www.checkyourboobies.org)
Did you hear that? Learn your own body. There's nothing perverted or gross about it. How will you know if a strange lump forms....if you don't know your own body?
Even in SL an avi can get a little breast exam education (courtesy of the AMCC Hospital -
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recommends a 3-step approach to breast cancer screening that includes, depending on a woman's age, a combination of mammography, clinical breast exams and breast self-exams.
- Monthly breast self-exam beginning by age 20.
- Clinical breast exam at least every 3 years beginning at age 20, and annually from age 40 on.
- Annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40.
As part of a total approach to breast health, women should become familiar with own bodies, play an active role in their health, and develop a close partnership with their health care providers. (www.checkyourboobies.org)
Did you hear that? Learn your own body. There's nothing perverted or gross about it. How will you know if a strange lump forms....if you don't know your own body?
Even in SL an avi can get a little breast exam education (courtesy of the AMCC Hospital -
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fashion%20Boulevard%20II/139/92/43)
Step 1 - Lift your left arm up, and place your hand at the back of your head.
Step 2 - Move the fingers on your right hand in a spiral motion around your left breast, starting from the outside and working towards the nipple.
Step 3 - Move the fingers on your right hand in an up and down motion moving from left to right across your breast.
Step 4 - Move the fingers on your right hand in the outline of an eight pointed star across your breast, returning to the nipple with each line.
I know, I know. Who can find the time, right?
Well, the truth is......you can. It's your health, and 15 minutes once a month won't completely ruin your over-packed schedule.
Handy Breast Self-Awareness Cards are available (by mail and download) from the Susan G. Komen Foundation (http://ww5.komen.org/Content.aspx?id=8934) as well as more information on Self-Exams (http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastSelfExam.html). They'll even send you monthly e-mails to REMIND you of your self exam.
Develop your breast awareness, and then set a time once a month for your monthly self-exam. I promise..you won't regret it.
Come back for our next post on.....DUN DUN DUN.....doctor's visits, pap smears and mammograms! Things that make you go..ugh...... :)
Come back for our next post on.....DUN DUN DUN.....doctor's visits, pap smears and mammograms! Things that make you go..ugh...... :)
XOXO,
Bliss
This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the Concerned Bloggers Association. If you would like to become involved, please contact Marleen Vaughan for more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)