GIVEAWAY TIME!…October

This morning the tv was on as my kiddos were getting ready for school and for some reason Good Morning America was what came up.  Usually Phineas and Ferb is on and the kiddos are reciting the episode word for word.  I’m not joking…but it is the only cartoon that doesn’t make me go insane so we just go with it here.

Pink faces, pink shirts, pink signs…everything was pink.  I immediately knew that the pink was for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  A little search on Google and I had more info at me about saving those ta-tas than I realized was available.

So in my research today this is what I learned:

FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES

• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
• Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.
• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year.

There are risks as well associated with breast cancer…some we have some control over and some that are just part of who we are.  Our gender, age, race, family history…those are all factors that are out of our control but factors we should be aware of.  You can find the list of Genetic Factors here.  The other factors that we do have some control over and could increase our risk of developing breast cancer are below.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFESTYLE RISK FACTORS

• Lack of Physical Activity:  A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can increase your risk for breast cancer.
• Poor Diet:  A diet high in saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can increase your risk for breast cancer.
• Being Overweight or Obese:  Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for breast cancer. Your risk is increased if you have already gone through menopause.
• Drinking Alcohol:  Frequent consumption of alcohol can increase your risk for breast cancer. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the risk.
• Radiation to the Chest:  Having radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30 can increase your risk for breast cancer.
• Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):  Taking combined hormone replacement therapy, as prescribed for menopause, can increase your risk for breast cancer and increases the risk that the cancer will be detected at a more advanced stage.

(facts from www.nationalbreastcancer.org)

To help us stay proactive with breast cancer we are providing you with a few links we found that will help you with this part of your journey:

• Early Detection Plan (it’s free and pretty cool!)
• Video about what Breast Cancer is (scroll down just a bit on the page)
• Breast Cancer Stages
• Breast Cancer Myths
• Breast Cancer FAQ

Breast Cancer is REAL…and we know that.  Sometimes though we don’t get to feel that real aspect as we glance at all the ribbons and pink.  I know that sometimes my gaze just goes right over it because I don’t have that personal connection to breast cancer specifically and I don’t think that it will happen to me.  Hearing other women though talk about their story and their journey with this illness makes it REAL.  Check out this link and be amazed by these courageous women who provided their stories to help you understand this illness just a little bit more.  See the illness through their eyes and from a woman who is just like you.  Hear REAL stories from REAL women here.

The Journey is here because we want you to get healthier…and one simple way to take care of yourself is to do self examinations.  It is super easy and it could save your life!  Stick it on your to-do list and just make it a habit.

photo from puppylovepreschool.blogspot.com

Our GIVEAWAY for the month of October is a company called Heads Up Bands.  This is a company that was made because of the devastating news of breast cancer.  Not too long ago Cori and I got to try these out and test them ourselves.  You can find out more about this company at their link here…as well as support them.  This is just one of those companies that has a reason for what they are doing…not just to make a profit.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS!  Heads Up Bands is giving away a 2 pack of headbands…and the winner gets to pick what those are!  (there are some really cool ones…so you really should enter this!)

How to Enter:  Two steps…and you MUST DO BOTH in order to win.  No if’s, ands or but’s.

1. Go to www.facebook.com/HeadsUpBands and “like” their page.
2. Write in the comments on THIS post “Done” and your first name.  If you want to write more…we won’t stop you…we like comments.  🙂

CONTEST ENDS:  October 16th at 5pm (CST).

Thanks for being part of The Journey!  You can read more about Jessica & Cori…and what they are up to and writing, by subscribing to this site.  We have something NEW too!  We are now on Twitter!  🙂  Come on over and join us at https://twitter.com/thesmallchanges.  

–Jessica