Avon Pink Minute: Raising breast cancer awareness one monument at a time
It’s so easy to take health for granted. I’ve never been hospitalized my life so far, so I tend to be careless about taking good care of myself. However, I do try to be self-aware and pay attention to any changes in my body.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and though the month has already passed, getting checked is something that women should do regularly. Self-examination only takes up a little bit of time, but can make a huge difference in helping to detect breast cancer. Recently I went to the Avon Pink Minute event in the Quezon Memorial Circle where they gathered breast cancer survivors and other members of their community to raise breast cancer awareness.
In the Philippines, 1 out of 13 women die because of breast cancer. This is one of the highest incidents in South East Asia, and chances for survival improve with early detection. Avon has been committed to promoting education and awareness since the 70s, and has partnerships with organizations like Philippine Cancer Association to educate the public on breast cancer.
To encourage women to make it a habit to take a minute to examine themselves, Avon partnered with landmark locations like the Quezon Memorial Shrine, SM Mall of Asia globe, Manila Hotel, Manila City Hall, Eton Centris, PET Plans Building, and St. Francis Square to be lit up in pink for the cause. The brand also brought out their celebrity endorsers Ruffa Gutierrez and Bettina Carlos to host the event. Even model-actor Daniel Matsunaga was there to show his support as breast cancer can affect men, too!
So, how do you perform a self breast exam? First, do this after your period is over. Use your fingers to gently feel around your breasts and the surrounding areas for any lumps, as these are usually the first sign of breast cancer. Check your nipples for any unusual discharge. Lean forward and let your breasts hang to see if they are deformed or have any lumps showing. Then check for any scaling of the skin or itching sensation. Check out Avon’s illustrated guide here, and if you find anything unusual, make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
