Breast Cancer Symptoms

My husband’s mother died of breast cancer when he was eleven. Back in 1979, people did not recognize breast cancer symptoms very easily. By the time his mother sought medical attention for her condition, she was in the late stages of the disease. His family was devastated by her passing. She was only fifty and the entire ordeal was a great shock to the family. Today, my husband, his brother and his sister actively participate in fundraisers that benefit breast cancer research.

Part of their fundraising efforts involves distributing breast cancer bracelets. The bracelets are pink and made of a stretchy material. This year, my husband and his siblings plan to distribute the breast cancer bracelets outside of a local retail store. They plan to do this on their mother’s birthday in her memory. Donations given in exchange for the breast cancer bracelets will be given to benefit research for breast cancer. Part of that research involves finding breast cancer symptoms early so treatment can be administered as soon as possible.

The research has yielded many good results. Today, more and more women are recognizing breast cancer symptoms. They are completing self examinations every month and they are having mammograms on a regular basis. The breast cancer bracelet that my husband gave me is to remind me of my appointments and to remind me to examine myself every month.

Unfortunately, breast cancer symptoms found during self-exams are usually found when the cancer has grown enough to be felt through the skin. This is often later than many doctors would like, but it is still better to find it before it advances too far, as it did with my mother-in-law. For years, doctors have suggested that women should complete a self examination every month, and this is a good practice for women, who thereby may find lumps in their breasts.

There are other breast cancer symptoms that are not quite so obvious and it is even better practice to make sure that you keep regular appointments with your doctor. It is also very important that you keep the lines of communication open with your doctor as well. Your doctor may recognize breast cancer symptoms that have gone unnoticed simply because you did not recognize them yourself.

While you’re shopping this summer, remember to pick up a pink breast cancer bracelet from a volunteer who may be in front of your local retail store. The bracelet serves as a reminder to keep you aware of breast cancer symptoms and it serves as a meaningful remembrance for one very special woman among thousands of other very special women who have lost their lives to breast cancer.