October 28, 2011

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Since I started this blog in 2008, I've done something special for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This year has been busy for me personally, so the month snuck up on me, so no blog hopping this month.

But I didn't want the month to go completely away without blogging on something. First, go to The Breast Cancer Site and click for free mammograms.  It's easy and it's free (for you and those who need it).  They are trying to reach 6 million clicks in October and are a couple million short right now!

Second, the breast cancer I've focused on through the years is Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  It is a very aggressive, very deadly disease and one that's easily overlooked.  Check out this video on the disease and make yourself aware, it could save your life. http://youtu.be/3s9_UrVtc6c

Then, click HERE to see what American Cancer Society has to say about it.

Now, for the prize - tell me one of the symptoms of IBC and be eligible for a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card.  I'll draw for a winner on or around November 1, 2011. LEAVE AN EMAIL IF YOU WANT TO ENTER!  NO EMAIL, NO ENTRY!

Anna Kathryn

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I went and clicked. One sign of IBC is Redness involving more than 1/3rd of the breast.

amysmith98@gmail.com

Lilly Gayle said...

In it's early stages, IBC looks like an insect bite that doesn't go away. Then it becomes a rash the spreads out around the "bite." From there, the breast becomes enlarged, inflamed, and warm to the touch. It doesn't always show up as cancer on a mammogram as it often looks no different than mastitis. It's usually diagnosed through a punch biopsy. By then, the prognosis is not good.

As a mammographer, I've seen only one case of IBC. As a 4 year breast cancer survivor, I applaud your dedication to breast cancer awareness.

And, I'd like to remind your readers over 21 to do self breast exams. Women over 25 should have annual clinical breast exams. Women over 35 should have a baseline mammogram. And women over 40 should have yearly screening mammograms.

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Lilly, thanks for the tips. Always good to be reminded. I have a yearly exam, but I admit, I don't do the self-exams. Bad of me, I know.

Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Hi Anna. I applaud your sharing this information. It's so important. As a survivor I've never heard of IBC. The symptoms are so different from those I experienced. The changing of the texture of the skin reminds me of post radiation. The radiated area is tighter, more rough, and believe it or not, doesn't sweat. It's really weird to be working outside and be dripping with sweat on one side while you're dry as a bone on the other. Go figure. Do those self exams! I didn't and wish I had.

maccrowne@gmail.com

Toni V.S. said...

I've never heard of IBC either. Thanks for new information. And I second that remark: Do those self-exams! That's how I found my breast cancer.

Mary Preston said...

I never knew that one of the signs was Breast Warmth.

Awareness is vital.


Don't enter me I can't use Barnes & Noble here.

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Okay, I knew I'd forget to draw a winner! Congratulations to Mackenzie for winning the $20 gift card.