As the administrator for the Liberty County Health Department, Deidre Howell knows quite a bit when it comes to health issues.
She’s formed a group known locally as the Suzie Qs and members will be walking and racing for a cure at their second Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Saturday in Savannah.
Howell said several members of the group will be walking on behalf of friends and family currently battling the disease. But, more importantly, she said there are things women can do now to prevent the disease. Here are her top five preventative measures:
1. If you are over 40 or have a family history of breast cancer....get a mammogram.
2. Do a self breast exam on the same day every month. For example, if you check your breasts on the 15th of April, do your May exam on the 15th as well. Try to do your SBE as close to the same day each month as possible. If you don’t know how to do a SBE, call the Health Department...we’ll teach you! Start checking your breasts when you start having a period. Don’t ever stop checking them!
3. Remind the women in your life to get their annual mammograms and do their monthly SBEs.
4. If you find a lump, don’t flip out...get it checked out. If something doesn’t feel quite right...get it checked out. Early detection means better chances for a cure.
5. Eat right, exercise and get plenty of rest...this will help prevent all types of cancer, not just breast cancer. Some ‘boob’ friendly foods include nuts, seeds, avocados and olive and canola oils. Flaxseeds are really good for healthy breasts.
She’s formed a group known locally as the Suzie Qs and members will be walking and racing for a cure at their second Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Saturday in Savannah.
Howell said several members of the group will be walking on behalf of friends and family currently battling the disease. But, more importantly, she said there are things women can do now to prevent the disease. Here are her top five preventative measures:
1. If you are over 40 or have a family history of breast cancer....get a mammogram.
2. Do a self breast exam on the same day every month. For example, if you check your breasts on the 15th of April, do your May exam on the 15th as well. Try to do your SBE as close to the same day each month as possible. If you don’t know how to do a SBE, call the Health Department...we’ll teach you! Start checking your breasts when you start having a period. Don’t ever stop checking them!
3. Remind the women in your life to get their annual mammograms and do their monthly SBEs.
4. If you find a lump, don’t flip out...get it checked out. If something doesn’t feel quite right...get it checked out. Early detection means better chances for a cure.
5. Eat right, exercise and get plenty of rest...this will help prevent all types of cancer, not just breast cancer. Some ‘boob’ friendly foods include nuts, seeds, avocados and olive and canola oils. Flaxseeds are really good for healthy breasts.