I have decided to do a new years day post on my facebook page to raise awareness of breast cancer and the fact that I, a fit, previously healthy 36 yeAr old with no family history can get it. I want every single one of my facebook friends and acquaintances to know, and I intend to post reminders for those ladies to check themselves periodically throughout the year, and to be generally breast aware. I will ask my friends to forward the message on to their friends and family if they wish to, but that’s up to them and there’s no pressure.
I found my lump myself during a self exam one Saturday night in February, and during the whole of 2010, there was not a better decision that I made than to check my breasts that night. I feel that if I can
prompt just one person to do this then it’s worth it. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if I didn’t share what’s happened to me and someone I know missed early detection Of bc that I could have prevented.
So I am now inviting anybody who uses this forum to post a new years day ( or any day after!) Facebook status asking their friends to be aware of the indiscriminate nature of breast cancer and the importance of early detection and checking yourself. I feel ready to do this now, though I wouldn’t have been a few months ago so I understand if people want to avoid doing this. Anyone who wants to be a fb buddy of mine can pm me and I’ll let you know my details. Can uou imagine how many people we’d reach if lots of us did it though? Mods, you’re invited to do this too!
All the very best everybody for a happy and healthy 2011.
Fab idea Vickie! My mum and gran died of it but were both 80 so officially no family history…however my daughter was diagnosed last december at 26 years and as a result of my insistance for some testing, me in August at 49…this thing really does not discriminate and as many people need to know this as possible. I know that a lot of people have either started checking, gone for mammogrammes they have asked/paid for, gone for mammogrammes they had ignored appointments for over a long time due to my diagnosis and the fact I have shouted as loud as possible even been on the radio!
We must do this as for too long its been seen as a pink fluffy disease of the ‘older’ woman…
I will be a fb buddy anytime…my profile is broken at the mo and being mended by the tecy person so trouble pm-ing
i do think that although this has been the worst year of my life, the best thing i did was take my lump seriously.It is strange i was in top shop today and i had this strong urge to shout “check your breasts ladies” fb is is an excellent way to do this.
Oohhh just had a thought, if there’s a thread you post on on this site a lot could you big up this new thread as I know a lot of people stick to “home” threads so may not spot it. Thanks, v
I talk every day on facebook to my friends so that they are all aware men and women, they have followed me from diagnosis and currently through chemo, some friends are also undergoing treatment for different cancers, FB is great for publicising as much about it as possible i found even being able to let people know that chemo is do able and not always that bad.
Just a thought Vickie, a lot of my friends are not on facebook! an age thing!!
Although they do have email accounts, wondered if you could also do something along the lines of sending a message via email!
Have pm’d you - fab idea, many of my friends check for lumps but nothing else, but then so did I, I spose I was lucky my bc manifested itself as a lump and not as a “change” because I would not be getting the treatment I am!
Excellent idea - please also let those with iphones that have Apps , there is a great new App for breast awareness which is available. It can be seen at: webmd.boots.com/breast-cancer/news/20101004/cancer-charity-launches-uks-first-app-for-breast-awareness
This shows women how to self examine in picture form, and even provides reminders for them to check themselves, what to do if they find something etc. It was set up because of the frightening number of women who do not examine themselves. It is just a great idea, and hopefully will increase the number of women to regularly check themselves etc.
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Hi again…good way to reach people…and the unreachable people too is a warning/advice/slogan on every bra or bra box…bit like the health warning on fag packets…I know it becomes a bit in your face and obvious but in your face is whats needed.
I go to screwfix a lot for stuff connected with my work machines and they were recently doing a campaign for blokes… a tee shirt with a spanner on it and a slogan check ur nuts!..we need similar!
LiF, you’re absolutely right - I also think we should have posters in ladies toilets on the backs of doors - somewhere women can’t help but read it… and I think there should be much more photographic images of the different forms breast cancer can take - it’s no use just thinking ‘lump’ when it’s not just lumps… and anyhow, almost all of us are uncertain what a ‘lump’ actually feels like!! Women need to be aware of inflammatory bc/inverted nipples/discharge/rashes etc etc etc - most of which I had only vaguely registered prior to my own diagnosis (with a lump…)
If anyone else has added Tors, can you pm me with your fb details/or ask for mine, and maybe I can add you that way!!!