What You Need To Know
THE STATS & DEFINITION
Sis, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so when we talk about self care, we have to consider breast cancer awareness as part of the conversation. 1 out of 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime -- that is about 12.5% of women. The National Breast Cancer Foundation cites that, on average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. With numbers like this, I am certain each of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life.
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. It can begin in different parts of the breast; but most begins in the ducts or lobules. Breast cancer can also spread to other parts of the body, and it is said to have metastasized when that occurs. (CDC.gov)
Breastcancer.org also notes that in 2020, an estimated 325,010 new cases of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. And an estimated 42,170 U.S. women will die from the disease. Because this disease can hit so close to home for many of us, and these numbers are so alarming, it can elicit a lot of fear and rattle our faith as Chayil Women.
ACTIVATING YOUR FAITH
The numbers are so alarming that the enemy can cause many different thoughts to go through our minds. Many of these thoughts are not rooted in the word of God, but rather in fear. But as Chayil Women we can counter the attack of the enemy to our minds by activating our faith and by acquiring knowledge.
For every thought that arises there is a word to attack it. Scripture instructs us that “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) Our thoughts MUST obey the word of God! So speak them and activate your faith.
If the numbers and facts rattle your peace…
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] (John 14:27 AMP)
If you are afraid to get tested…
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
If you’ve gotten an unfavorable doctors report…
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)
If you are battling cancer…
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. (Jeremiah 33:6 NIV)
If you are a caregiver to a loved one battling cancer…
Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am an oasis. (Matthew 11:28 TPT)
If you’ve lost a loved one to cancer…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
If an immediate family member had it, and you’re afraid of getting it…
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. (Revelation 21:4 CEV)
ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE
Sis, while you activate your faith, acquire knowledge! There are plenty of resources out there to learn more about the data and research on breast cancer. You also have access to your Primary Care Physician as well as your OBGYN. I had an opportunity to interview a medical expert on the Chayil Lifestyle Show, and asked some of your medical questions around breast cancer and self care.
Dr. Nwamaka Obi, MD, MS, FACOG is trained and board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Maternal Fetal Medicine. Her practice specializes in the counseling, management and delivery of high risk obstetrics patients, including fetal diagnosis, and genetic counseling. She is an Assistant Professor of OBGYN, and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is passionate about women’s health, and believes in living your best well rounded life. Dr. Obi is a worker in the house of the Lord, a phenomenal wife, a loving mother of four children, and a REAL LIFE Chayil Woman.
My conversation with her on discussing the facts, our faith, and self care was informative and encouraging. Here are 8 tidbits that I extracted from the chat with Dr. Obi:
Breast Cancer is one of the leading cause of death for women in the United States as well as around the world
Increased risk of breast include: increase in age, being female, lifestyle practices such as smoking and alcohol abuse, & race
Younger aged women have a risk of breast cancer based on personal history, family history, and potential gene mutation
Early signs of breast cancer can be detected when as women we pay attention to our bodies regularly
Rather than thinking of ways in which to prevent cancer, we can think about it more as modifiable risk factors. We can’t bring our risk to zero, but there are things that we can do/modify to lower our risk
Breast cancer has a 90% survival rate with early detection
Not all breast cancer is the same; treatment is designed on a case-by-case basis
Faith requires action; God has His part, but we have our part to play also by taking action
From the impacts to our sex life, to why our parents’ generation had lower cases of breast cancer, our hope is that the conversation blesses you and leaves you feeling a little bit more informed on breast cancer, how to activate your faith, and general self-care. Click on the link below to see Part 1 of the conversation. Click subscribe on my YouTube Channel and click the notification bell, to get an alert when Part 2 of the conversation gets posted.
What bible verse(s) do you speak to yourself in times of fear? Share in the comment below. And also be sure to comment on the video on what your key takeaways were as well.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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