I would like to encourage every woman out there to do a self-breast exam.

BREAST CANCER REALLY CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE…. The truth is not all women diagnosed with this awful disease are over the age of 50… over the age of 40… or even over the age of 20. Despite what we are often lead to believe, not all women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease. Not all women diagnosed live an unhealthy lifestyle that includes low activity levels, overeating, smoking, or even the heavy consumption of alcohol. The harsh reality is; sometimes women who think they are doing everything right to take care of themselves and their bodies, still get breast cancer.

I am that person. I never thought it would happen to me, but I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 33. I do not have a family history of the disease. I very rarely have a drink. I have never smoked and I stay pretty active. I knew the risks and I lived by them, yet it still happened to me. I am proof that breast cancer can happen to anyone, and more importantly, I am proof that breast cancer can happen to you.

In honor of those of us who are fighting and those who can no longer fight, I encourage you to be proactive in your own health and push those you love to do the same. No matter how old you are, it is important that you know your body, that you check yourself often, and that you ask your doctor to preform a routine breast exam, men included.

Early detection really does save lives.

‪#‎mypersonalpinktime‬ ‪#‎worldcancerday‬