It Starts With Coffee

By now you’ve noticed that October is breast cancer awareness month. The NFL is decked out in all the pink accessories, you’ve seen commercials, signs at your doctor’s office, and no doubt your city had a Race for the Cure weekend. Cancer hits very close to home for me. While I have not be personally effected by breast cancer I have been effected by cancer in general as my dad suffered from Lymphoma a few years ago and nearly lost his life to the disease. So, I really feel that it is important to take action on your health all year round and not just in October. I wanted to share 3 ways to stay healthy all year.

1. Do self checks all year round. I know it’s in your face in October but it should be important ALL YEAR! Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women, with skin cancer being the first. It is important to not just wait until you see a doctor every year for him/her to check, but that monthly you are checking yourself and you are familiar with any changes to your body. It’s better to be safe than sorry in this case. If you notice something off make sure you see a doctor ASAP. Did you know that about 1-in-8 women born today in the U.S. will get breast cancer at some point in their lives? That number is startling! Think about all the women you know. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Aflac will be partnering with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) again for its second annual “This Duck Wears Pink” campaign. Aflac is selling a variety of campaign-related merchandise including the plush duck, hats, and a breast cancer ribbon pin, with all the net proceeds going to the AACR for the specific purpose of funding research aimed at finding a cure for breast cancer. This is a great organization to donate to and help and my family is participating!

2. Eating right is another great way to stay healthy all year. Making sure you are having the right amounts of fruits, veggies, and proteins daily is so important. I use MyFitnessPal on my phone not only to track my food, but also to make sure I am eating a balanced diet. It can be so easy in the fall and winter months to go for sweets like Halloween candy and Christmas cookies, so try to mix in veggies and fruits with every meal.

3. Exercise is so important! My mom instilled in me the importance of exercise at a young age. She ran daily till she was 8 months pregnant with me and in her 60’s continues to exercise 6 days a week. She is my inspiration to stay healthy and lead a healthy life. I try to get moving every day, even if that means going on a 30 minute walk around my neighborhood. Even the smallest amount of exercise is better than nothing, and will keep you staying healthy!  Here is a really simple, light workout that you could do every single day!

I encourage you to make sure you are doing all of the necessary screening to ensure that you can detect any abnormalities early on. Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional preferably every 3 years. Make sure to keep those things in mind!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.