Save Second Base

I work at a health-obsessed company (which I actually think is funny since I'm more of a hamburger and a beer kinda girl than granola and water kinda girl). I think the best example of this health obsession was our company-wide Biggest Loser contest that we had last winter (that I am still bitter that I lost). 

So since our company loves wellness as a whole, they like to put on lectures and seminars from time to time to educate their employees about health-related issues. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our company had a local radiologist and medical director of a women's center come to speak to our female (and some male) employees about the preventive measures women can take to avoid getting breast cancer. 

It was a very informative meeting (and I got free lunch!) where I learned some important stats that I would like to share with you: 

• About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. 
• Self breast exams should be conducted monthly. The best time to do a self-breast exam is at the end of your period. 
• Besides lumps look for skin irritation or dimpling, any nipple discharge other than breast milk, redness or scaliness. These are indicators that you could have breast cancer. Get it checked. You can never be too sure!
• If you have a history of breast cancer in your family (direct relatives only such as sister or mother), you should start getting digital mammograms 5 years before your mother or sister was diagnosed. For example if your sister got breast cancer at age 25, you should start getting mammograms at age 20.

One of our readers sent us a link earlier in the month to a website called Save Second Base. The term was developed back in 2005 by Kelly Rooney, a mother of 5 with breast cancer. When she passed, Rooney's sister and best friend started selling "Save Second Base" t-shirts, fleece blankets, and sweatshirts - a phrase coined by Rooney herself. The clothing line is fun, sassy, and brings a little bit of humor to a serious subject. 

As the women of Save Second Base say though, "Breast cancer is no laughing matter, but we can fight it with humor!" I urge all our readers to peruse their online store and support this wonderful cause. 

And don't forget to regularly check yourself for breast cancer! We can fight this disease with knowledge!