October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Feeling is healing...

I’ve spent the past few weeks thinking about what I could write to honor this month of October, which is internationally known as breast cancer awareness month. Although it may not seem so obvious, I feel that this is a controversial issue, because the focus is still on what to be done once a person already has the disease, and there is not much attention or energy invested in prevention.

There is no doubt that, in the event of developing breast cancer (or any other type of cancer) early detection can mean the difference between living and dying. For this reason, we see widespread campaigns promoting mammograms, as this is the main screening tool for this type of cancer, at least, it is what mainstream media leads us to believe. From my own experience I can say that:

1. I found the lump in my breast myself.

2. An ultrasound, followed by a biopsy confirmed the cancer diagnosis.

3. The doctors prescribed a mammogram, after I had a confirmed diagnosis, and this test showed nothing. When I say nothing, I mean that it did not even reveal a lump.

The mammography report said that I had dense breasts, and that I should therefore follow up with an ultrasound. Given that the awareness-raising campaigns place such a strong emphasis on mammograms, it would be logical to assume that this is an effective screening tool. I wonder how many women with busy schedules and restricted budgets would prioritize scheduling and performing an additional exam, such as a ultrasound, which is frequently not covered by basic health insurance plans. It would not be outrageous to consider that if the mammogram shows nothing unusual, then it would be safe to assume there is nothing to worry about.

So, I would like to simply mention a few things, learned over this past year of total immersion in the topic of breast cancer. First, the most important thing is to become familiar with your own breasts, knowing them intimately and exploring them regularly, because this way you can recognize for yourself if there is something unusual. Second, although health insurance programs do not usually cover this exam, which unfortunately will render it inaccessible to many people, I recommend breast thermographies as a screening tool. This is an exam that is painless, does not involve radiation exposure, and even years prior to the appearance of a detectable tumor, can reveal any cellular activity that could indicate something suspicious, allowing the person to carry out a more in depth follow up if she (or he) considers it necessary. Third, although even the World Health Organization states that the causes of breast cancer are unknown, there are sufficient studies that make it possible to assume and understand that certain things increase the chances of developing this dis-ease. With the exception of our genes, which we moreover know from advanced epigenetic studies are not necessarily fixed, all other factors associated with breast cancer are within our own control. Based on the extensive literature that I have researched, the main influential elements are: how we process stress and emotions, the way in which we manage our thoughts and the beliefs we have about ourselves and our surroundings, toxicities in the environment (in and outside the home), and how we nourish ourselves.

So, yes, it is undoubtedly valid and important to invest energy in finding a cure for this disease. It is relevant and necessary to be educated about the best ways to have an early diagnosis. But above all it is indispensable to generate awareness about how we can prevent this disease, and moreover to be very mindful about the fact that our body is wise, and it speaks to us… let’s listen.

For me the most basic aspect of this experience has been that from the moment I received the diagnosis thru to the choice of path to follow in terms of treatment, I have learned to trust my intuition. Many people told me, trust yourself… nobody knows better than you what you need. When faced with such a complex situation, it can be overwhelming to feel fully responsible for our own health, but it is important to note that taking on this responsibility fills us with strength and power.

I have read in several places that one of the best forms of breast cancer diagnosis is our dreams. There may be those who believe this to be the ultimate absurdity… I speak from my own experience, and from what I have shared with other people who have been through this. I am not the first, nor the only woman that dreamt she had breast cancer a few weeks prior to receiving the diagnosis… I would love to know if you or anybody you know has had this experience also. Please share in the comments.

Thank you for reading, and I hope that this month of October is full of health, hope, joy, and much love.