1) Make an annual exam appointment; talk with an OB/GYN if you haven’t done so recently;
2) Encourage a family member and a friend to do #1;
3) Know your screening guidelines for your age group and risk factor group (mammogram, colonoscopy, bone density, etc.); Make sure you access health and medical information from reputable sources and to discuss your needs with your care providers.
4) Use websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (Macaroni Kid) to find out dates and times of free health screenings, community health fairs, etc, and bring a friend!
5) Implement at least one healthy strategy before the holidays sneak up on you. October is meant to be a celebration of the angels, fighters, and survivors of breast cancer. We take time during this month to share our stories and to support each other in our health journey, no matter what point we might be at. Use this month (and every one after) to explore new resources that help you feel good inside and out. And, as Ellen DeGeneres likes to say, “Be Kind to One Another.”
For more information on Breast Cancer awareness and prevention, please visit the Imaging Center for Women (Facebook - Website). Schedule your appointment today by calling 540-741-XRAY (9729) and take advantage of the accuracy and innovation of the 3D mammogram. They have 2 convenient locations: 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 100
Fredericksburg, VA 22401 and their new North Stafford location located at 125 Woodstream Blvd., Suite 101 Stafford, VA 22556.
Spotsylvania Towne Centre will be holding a display of the Chancellor Lion's Club creative submissions for their Bra Decorating Contest. Judging will be October 7th at 3:00 pm, visit the mall to view the artwork and raise Breast Cancer awareness. These bras will be displayed until October 28, 2017.
If you are a current breast cancer patient, we are so lucky to have Bonnie Bell at the Regional Cancer Center on Mondays (by appointment) to meet with our mastectomy patients for bra fittings. Check out her awesome organization and all that she's done.
Author:
Gin Schaffer was a student affairs administrator for roughly 20 years at institutions such as Marymount University, University of North Florida, and Boston University. She studied Counseling Psychology and Higher Education Administration. In May 2014, Gin fought breast cancer alongside her husband and two young children. As of August 2015, she has been working part-time as the Integrative Medicine Coordinator at Mary Washington Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
