Maui Bigelow

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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / QUEENS FOR A CURE

QUEENS FOR A CURE

October 1, 2015

 

IMG_2629I am sure you all know that today marks the beginning of breast cancer awareness month.  While breast cancer is an issue that deserves our attention 365 this is the month that everyone goes extra hard.  In honor of the estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer and the 40,290 breast cancer deaths among women in the United States (2015) and women around the world; I want to share with you some of my truth.

Although I don’t just insert it into every conversation, I am a breast cancer survivor. Yep, my left breast tried to kill me…. BUT GOD!! . On October 12, 2010, I was diagnosed with stage 1b DCIS breast cancer.  After surgery, I was required to take both radiation, chemotherapy (pill form) and hormone therapy (which i am still taking) as treatment.

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Although i had a bit of a smile, I was in a dark place on this photo. Trying to wear the mask, and attempting to love the woman in this picture but i was hurting.

While the ordeal was traumatic for me and I spiraled into a deep depression, it seems so mediocre when I think about my friends and love ones who lost their battle or are still on the battle field.  My chemotherapy was in the form of a pill and my cancer was never life threatening.  However, just the words, “You have cancer” seemed like a death sentence. Especially since I had witnessed my friend (my children’s paternal aunt) Shameka Hadley succumb to cancer in 2003 at the young age of 26.  

During that time I learned a lot; about myself, about the people around me and I developed a relationship with God that is greater than I ever had.  Was it something that I enjoyed? No! However, I can say that I appreciate the growth that came from it.

Breast cancer is not gender, age or race specific; it effects all of us.  For that reason, it will take a collective effort to bring an end to it and that starts with us.  Self-checks, mammograms, support and spreading knowledge; are all vital.

Since knowledge is queen, allow me to share some numbers with you in case you are still not convinced the breast cancer effects all of us.

 

  • The incidence (new cases) of breast cancer has been higher among white women than among black women.
  • Although the number of new cases are higher in white women, more black women die from breast cancer than any other race of women.
  • The two most common factors of breast cancer are being a female and age (older woman).
  • Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death (death from any type of cancer) among women ages 20 to 59.
  • Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen. In the U.S., about one percent of all breast cancer cases occur in men.
  • Before menopause, being overweight or obese modestly decreases breast cancer risk.
  • After menopause, being overweight or obese increases breast cancer risk.
  • Gaining weight in adulthood appears to increase the risk of breast cancer before and after menopause.
  • Women with larger breast have as much as 6 times higher risk of developing breast cancer.IMG_2631

Lifestyle ·

About Phat Girl Fresh

Lifestyle and plus size blogger that looks at life from a feminist prospective. I promote #queenshit and encourage women to be #PHATGirlFresh

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Comments

  1. iamphatgirlfresh says

    October 1, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

  2. iamphatgirlfresh says

    October 1, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

Trackbacks

  1. QUEENS FOR A CURE | A Perfectly Flawed Ruby says:
    October 1, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    […] Source: QUEENS FOR A CURE […]

  2. QUEENS FOR A CURE | A Perfectly Flawed Ruby says:
    October 1, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    […] Source: QUEENS FOR A CURE […]

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The bad news is, someone will always be bothered b The bad news is, someone will always be bothered by you choosing yourself first. The good news is, the bothered person won’t be you! #affirmedaf
Happy birthday to the curvy icon and @lifestyledho Happy birthday to the curvy icon and @lifestyledhonors honoree; my cousin, @theegoogoo! Thanks for the friendship, the sisterhood, and the slays. Here’s to a year filled with more love, more laughter, and life filled with an abundance of blessings and favor. I love you deep girl!
Life requires style! ✨ This is not a post abou Life requires style! 
✨ 
This is not a post about fashion. This is a friendly reminder that the way you style your life determines how successful you are and the influence you offer the world. How you style your life connects you to your purpose and living your purpose draws you closer to God. Your style can’t be mimicked or  matched; it is a muscle only you can flex. 
🗣POP STYLE SIS!! 
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Mercedes Jumpsuit: @christian_omeshun 
Metallic Gold Platform: @michaelkors 
Sunnies: @fendi 
Hair: @farasha.alika @hairvomit 
Photos: @rjonesphotography #curvesenblanc #lifestyledhonors #affirmedaf
When the @patron kick in! We were LIT at Cocktails When the @patron kick in! We were LIT at Cocktails & Karaoke. @suiteloungeatl #lifestyledhonors #atlanta #karaoke
Black Women Are Lit! Black Women Are Lit!
About last night! We went up! #cocktailsandkaraoke About last night! We went up! #cocktailsandkaraoke #lifestyledhonors #atlanta #atlantaevents #suitefoodlounge
This is God’s doing! I still remember vividly th This is God’s doing! I still remember vividly the way I felt when I found out I was pregnant with my son. I remember the day I planned to abort him. I damn near remember every moment that I have shared with him over the last 23 years and every moment I had with God on his behalf. As we prepare for yet another amazing moment, I am grateful. 

Grateful that God loved me enough to bless me with this joyful black boy. Grateful that he was patient as I grew from girl to woman while being his mother. Grateful that he inspired me to push past every roadblock placed in my path. 

@youknowitszaydoe, I am so proud of you and I love you far beyond any words, actions, or material items, black man. I once called you sun because you shined like one but truthfully you out shine the sun, son. i pray that you receive and cherish every good and perfect thing God has for you. I pray you continue to pursue your purpose with passion. Most of all I pray that and abundance of love and light surround you and that despite life challenges you never cower in the face of adversity.
On the set of @socialsocietyallblk with @kendallky On the set of @socialsocietyallblk with @kendallkyndall, @iamdanicanada and @tylerchronicles. Shout out to @dg_millz for the photos.
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