Breast Cancer Awareness!

As many of you probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I have been wanting one of these bumper stickers forEVER now  

There is a Global Breast Cancer Awareness movement going on and I am absolutely LOVING it.  I mean, even the NFL is in support!

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How cool is that?

In honor of one of my good friend, Mandy’s Mom, Chris (a survivor!), I’m going to be part of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K on City Island on October 16, 2010.  If you’re a reader from the Harrisburg area and want to participate on our team (it’d be a cool blogger meet up idea!), please email me at freckledfoodielove@gmail.com!

We’ll be walking by this gorgeous fountain in the City of Harrisburg

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Which is dyed pink in celebration!

Anyway, this whole Breast Cancer Awareness Movement got me to thinking about the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid this serious Disease.

Did you know every 69 seconds, a woman dies of Breast Cancer?  That little factoid is as sad as it is scary!  We should be taking all the precautions we can to protect the tatas

Here are some preventative measures from the Susan G. Komen website!

1. Know your risk

Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

Ask your doctor 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 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you

See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

Lump, hard knot or thickening
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
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

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine

Limit alcohol intake

Notice the #4 TIP!?    In addition, I’ve compiled a few SUPER foods for fighting Breast Cancer that I found on the Fitness Magazine site! 

1. Helloooo Tuna!

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“Organic forms of selenium, a trace mineral in plants and grain-fed animal protein, may guard against breast cancer by normalizing the body’s circadian rhythms (the internal clock that regulates how many estrogen receptors — often linked to the disease — your cells produce). Get your beneficial daily dose, 55 micrograms, with the selenium-rich foods here and double down on their other health perks.”

2. BEEF! After all, pink is a shade of red [meat]

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4 ounces, cooked: 43 micrograms selenium

Also contains:

Iron: fights fatigue

Protein: builds muscle

3. Fungus?  Yes, please!

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1 cup, grilled and sliced: 27 micrograms selenium

Also contains:

Potassium: regulates heart function

4. Low-fat Cottage Cheese!  No problem

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1/2 cup: 11 micrograms selenium

Also contains:

Calcium: strengthens bones

For a real boobie saving meal, why not try FitSugar’s Artichoke Salad with Tuna & Mushrooms for dinner tonight!

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and mayyyyyybe a grilled peach with low-fat cottage cheese & honey drizzle for dessert? Protecting the “goods” never tasted so yummy!

XOXO.