Breast Cancer Awareness Month
By Jo Lorenz
Did you know that breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and approx 1 in 1000 men?
My intelligent, hilarious, beautiful and courageous sister, Eliza, was that one in the eight. Her strength and positivity throughout her journey has been so incredibly inspiring and I’m so wonderfully proud to be her little sister.
For #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, I asked Eliza some questions about her experience. Huge thanks to her for her insightful and honest answers. Love you Lizey!
How important is awareness and regular breast checking?
Eliza: Regular breast checking and being aware of the different ways that breast cancer can present is imperative. But equally important is not to doubt your intuition when you notice something different.
Get it checked out. Don’t put it off. Don’t put your head in the sand. Yes, the answer may well be one you don’t want, but I can guarantee it’s better to get that answer earlier when you have a better chance with treatments rather than later.
Any advice to others battling cancer right now?
Eliza: It’s tough. But so are you. Focus on each step. Look for the positive. Be kind to yourself. But mostly ‘fight’.
And lastly, please me how you feel now and how cancer changed your life?
Eliza: I choose to look at this journey from the viewpoint that it has had a positive affect on my life. I got a much needed kick up the butt to start taking ownership of my life, and not to let life pass me by.
Yes, I am lopsided. Yes, I take a few more tablets and I have been tossed headfirst into the murky waters of early menopause. But I am here. And I am happy.
I am more aware of the little joys in life — a skill that I had lost for a few years. And finally I have discovered I have plenty of fight in me.
Want more?
There are an abundance of excellent breast cancer support sites out there, so please ask your doctors for their recommendations for you and your stage of cancer. However, for a point of reference, the one Eliza found most helpful was the BCNA ‘My Journey Kit’
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