HEALTHIER YOU: When it comes to breast health, be your own buddy

When it comes to breast health, be your own buddy

BY DR. ANNETTE MAYES

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everyone should participate in the movement to fight this disease, by encouraging women to conduct regular self-exams and to get the mammograms recommended by their doctors.

When it comes to early detection, here’s something to remember: Staying conscious of your overall health is an act of self-empowerment.

It’s wonderful to receive reminders from friends to go to the doctor, but the real strength lies within you. It is vital to take ownership and safeguard the discipline of making regular doctor appointments, because that routine is safest with you. It is you who must clear the calendar — and make yourself available for the yearly visit typically required for mammograms.

After all, many of us never neglect those weekend trips to the beauty shop, and rarely fail to get manicures and pedicures. If we apply that degree of vigilance to breast exams, we can feel the incomparable peace of having all of the facts about our health.

A lot goes on in our day-to-day lives, and it’s a wonderful thing to have breast cancer awareness buddies. Women should always marshal their power to help one another. But nothing compares to being your own buddy for breast health. Hold on to your power for better health, mark your calendar for the next OB-GYN visit — and GO!

For additional information, contact the Las Vegas All Women’s Care offices at (702) 522-9640. Or visit us at 700 Shadow Lane No. 165 (1st floor) in Las Vegas.