Think Pink

Hundreds of thousands of breast cancer diagnoses are made each year. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, educate yourself and others about it as you support the organizations in your community that are working to do the same.

- Kristina Giliberto

Pink cleats on sports fields, pink hair, pink drinks, pink clothes, pink parades, pink ribbons, pink pumpkins, pink cars ... it must be October!

It’s that time of year where breast cancer survivors navigate their way through all the pink. For me, it’s also a time of reflection and gratitude for how far I’ve come since being diagnosed eight years ago.

It was during awareness month and because of awareness month that I became very aware of a tumor the size of a grape growing in my armpit. It was a tumor missed by screenings and by my doctor because of where it decided to set up camp. (Don’t forget to check your armpits when you do your self-exams. It’s a package deal. And if you don’t do self-exams regularly, start right now.)

I’m okay with pink here, there and everywhere because, in my opinion, if you steer clear of companies out to make a buck off of this terrible disease, heightened awareness is a good thing.

More women will make screening appointments. More women will do breast self-exams. Awareness saves lives. It saved mine. Still, it does look like a Pepto Bismol explosion out there. Doesn’t it?!

It can be quite a lot to process as a survivor, and I’m often asked, what can family/friends say to help? Well, how about I share what NOT to say. Let’s start there. And yes, I have personally heard each one!

The Top Ten Things Not to Say to a Breast Cancer Survivor