Don’t Delay: Face Health Checks

Each October pink springs up as a visual reminder of Breast Cancer awareness month. With countless stories and features throughout the month, you can see the impact and reach cancer has on various levels. Cancer is one of those words that stops people in their tracks, especially when linked to themselves or a loved one.

National Mammography Day–which is celebrated on the third Friday of October every year— is approaching. This is a good opportunity to visit the importance of regular health checks for breast cancer or other health concerns and the feelings that might get in our way. When people try justifying postponement of recommended tests, here are some quotable excuses.

1. But I’m healthy (aka “it won’t happen to me”)
2. I’d rather not know
3. But the testing is uncomfortable
4. It gives me anxiety

Make the Appointment

Despite the effectiveness of screening and treatment options with early detection, people still put off important appointments. Not only do we avoid the testing itself, but we also avoid educating ourselves on reasons we may need testing (like the American Cancer Society’s recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer). This would be the equivalent of having someone stock your refrigerator, not knowing what’s in there, not looking, but still expecting to make yourself a full and balanced dinner.

• The stocked refrigerator is your genes/risk factors.
• “Not knowing what’s in there” is being unaware of the information or screening options (if needed) to know your risk.
• “Not looking” is not having the testing performed to determine presence of clinical findings.
• And “expecting to make a full and balanced dinner” is just blindly expecting your good health to continue without hiccups.

Is there something you have been putting off and allowing yourself to make justifications to continue to avoid it? I challenge you to rise to the occasion and take the necessary steps to take care of yourself—for you and your loved ones. If you feel you frequently opt out of scenarios such as this, let’s take a look together at how you can improve in facing such tasks head on. Book a free consult today.