October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's October and I'm all about pink! This is breast cancer awareness month, and I'm out talking it up! This is the busiest month for me to speak about my personal battle with breast cancer. I want to make sure others are doing everything they can to prevent this disease!

There are three things you can do for early detection. First, mammograms! If you're 40 years of age or older and have never had a mammogram, schedule one today! It's not a perfect tool to finding breast cancer but it's very effective. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may have you start mammography earlier than the age of 40.

The second step to early detection is BSE... Breast Self-Exam! No one knows your body better than you. If you're checking once a month, you'll have a better chance of finding something sooner rather than later. It's how I found my lump. I wasn't sure if it was something to worry about, so I went to see my doctor.

And that's the third step! Annual check-ups with your doctor are so important. You should be visiting the doctor once a year for your gynecological tests as well as breast exams. Don't put these off simply because you don't have the time or the money. Early detection is the key and could save your life! It did mine!

I hope and pray you never hear those words, "You have breast cancer" - but if it does happen, take heart. There's help and hope out there and survivors who've been there and done that! This is the month for you to begin those check-ups and mammograms. Make October the time you become more aware!

LeAnne Taylor

Six in the Morning Co-Anchor

Breast Cancer Survivor