Skip to main content

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

I had a wonderful time this past Saturday at the Book Clubs United Breast Cancer Fundraiser. The Sistahs of Urban Literature Book Club, Sistahs of the Red Tent Book Club and the Round Table Readers Literary Book Club hosted a “Pink Literary Affair” to benefit one of their book club sisters who is currently fighting the breast cancer battle.
 
It was an honor and a privilege to be able to lend my support to such a magnificent cause and I was moved by all the love and support that was shown to myself and fellow authors Cassandra Baker-Durham, Suzetta Perkins and A.T. Hicks.
 
Along with an engaging discussion about the responsibilities writers and readers share, we also enjoyed a wonderful Bourbon Street influenced meal. I really did like that fried alligator! A good time was had by all and I want to extend my sincerest appreciation to Ms. K.Waiters and her incredible team for putting together such a remarkable event.
 
In honor of breast cancer awareness month I want to reiterate the messages that were shared with us in our event goody bags.  It's important that we women know our boobies and take care of our tatas!
 
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
 
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early, when chances for survival are highest.

1. Know your risk
  • Talk to both sides of your family to learn about your family health history  
  • Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
  • Talk with your doctor about which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk  
  • Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
  • Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
  • Sign up for your screening reminder at www.komen.org/reminder 
3. Know what is normal for you
See your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:
  • Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
  • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
  • Change in the size or shape of the breast
  • Dimpling or puckering of the skin
  • Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
  • Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
  • Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
  • New pain in one spot that doesn't go away
To see illustrations of these warnings signs please visit the Breast Facts section. 
 4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DAMMIT, DO BETTER!

I love reading. I get excited when I discover a new author or find an outstanding story. I’m eager to leave reviews and share with others my new finds. When a book or story is lackluster, leaving me less than thrilled, I usually remain silent. I know the effort that an author has put into a story. I know how hurtful a bad review can be. It is not for me to dash anyone else’s dream because what I might not have liked, someone else may have loved. Recently I read books that left me disappointed, and angry. One was an award-winning title, the author gleefully claiming a coveted statue for her efforts. Clearly what I hated, others found award-worthy. And that actually scares me. The story was as well-written as any other in the genre. Its formulaic plot hit all the buttons that her publisher required. But as a woman of color, I found it as insulting and as distasteful as any story I have ever read. The story featured a Native American heroine. She had self-esteem issues, co...
40 comments
Read more

THANK YOU AND GOODBYE FOR NOW!

I remember when I first started this blog. It was 19-years ago and I anxiously anticipated it running on forever and ever. Because I loved to write, I never imagined that there would come a time when I wouldn't have something to say or want to tell you a story. The influx of social media has changed the dynamics of what happens here. And for that reason, I believe the time has come for me to say goodbye to my "blog". But not whole-heartedly goodbye. Just arrivederci  and adios to what I do, or rather, haven't done in some time, in this particular space.  I will continue to write. Writing is in my DNA. Writing is my super-power and I'm not letting that go just yet. I'll still be all over social media trying to leave a small footprint in this vast, wide world. You'll still be able to find me on FACEBOOK , INSTAGRAM , THREADS , TIKTOK , and now the newbies, BLUESKY and SUBSTACKS . I'm still treading cautiously as I find my way but I'm hopeful someth...
Post a Comment
Read more

NAUGHTY OR NICE TOUR - DAY 6 - DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO

I'm so excited to be a part of the NAUGHTY OR NICE BOOK BLOG TOUR. And it gives me great pleasure to give you the first peek at my next release, PLAYING WITH FIRE . Available from Dafina books on February 24, 2015, wherever books are sold, PLAYING WITH FIRE is the first in my two-book Sultry Southern Nights series. ENJOY this excerpt and please, PRE-ORDER your copy today! Romeo Marshall is over six feet of cool, smooth, hot, southern seductiveness--just like the music at his popular Raleigh club, The Playground Jazz and Blues Bar. With his beloved mother gone and no father he's ever known, the business is Romeo's everything. It's a place where anything can happen--and the evening one gorgeous young woman and one intriguing old musician walk into the bar--and into Romeo's life--it does. There's something about high-powered, down-to-the earth Taryn Williams that captures Romeo's attention like no other woman has. Yet unanswered questions from his past s...
30 comments
Read more