Before the turn of the calendar, I was fortunate enough to attend the opening celebration of our local breast cancer support and advocacy community in Cagayan de Oro, ThriveCDO. Since it's officially #Pinktober, they launched a great lineup of activities that our locals can attend. (Note: you don't need to have cancer ib order to help promote this advocacy 😂)
Background
The org was launched by former Miss CDO Karen Lluch in 2012. She was diagnosed with cancer back then and struggled to find comfort amidst people who couldn't relate to her disease. Today, the group has over 20 cancer survivors who are very eager to help, encourage and fight with those who are struggling to maintain order in their lives despite the diagnosis.
This advocacy is really close to my heart. As a nurse, I've seen so many people go because of cancer when in fact, it is the most curable of all the cancers. The key is early detection, by doing monthly self breast exams (SBE), we can help abate cancer's cruel effects. Detecting cancer at early stage leads to improved prognosis, less surgery and better quality of life.
Personally, I only started doing monthly self breast exams last year but a nodule scare for one of my closest friends recently encouraged me not to take it lightly and share this thought to my friends and family. For people who've had children and/or are over 40 years old, there is an increased possibility of developing cancer so it's important to not just do monthly SBEs, but get breast and cervical screening annually as well.
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| The Strong and Wonderful women of ThriveCDO |
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| Because breasts matter to men too! |
Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
To my knowledge, our local city hospital has also made efforts to increase awareness by reaching out to far flung areas. Last March, I was part of a group that reached out to a sitio. There, we educated women on how to perform monthly SBE and the importance of annual Pap Smear and Breast Exam. At JR Borja General Hospital, one can avail of a free Breast and Cervical Screening every 2nd Saturday of the month. Just make sure to reserve your slot on a weekday before the screening at the OPD department. If you have questions about this, feel free to reach out by replying to this post or contacting me via my social media.
Discounted Breast Ultrasound and Digital Mammography are also offered at Capitol University Medical Center for the month of October. They're offering 40% off on both services, so avail them while you can!
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| Here with Ms CDO 2017 (left) and Ms Liz of LizFashionHouse (right) |
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| The interesting interview type of info feeding. Very cute! |
This advocacy is also supported by homegrown businesses, Spruce and Bigby's (along with the sibs Guisepe, Boy Zugba, Missy Bon Bon and Maison de Bon Bon--which was the venue). Spruce has joined the celebration by giving away a quirkly freebie this October. Missy Bon Bon is relaunching their Pink Velvet Cupcakes topped with cheesecake. If you think the silhouette looks
familiar, well, you're not exactly wrong!
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