My grandmother—a five-time cancer survivor—discovered she had breast cancer at 86. Her doctor recommended a radical double mastectomy based on her treatment history and, apologetically, delivered the news. She sat up straight and replied without hesitation, “Take them off! I’m done with them!” That surgery, along with early detection, saved her life and gave our family more precious time together.
My spirited Aunt Victoria—who plays competitive amateur golf, cooks incredible meals, and spoils kids (including me, when I fit that description) with chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream for breakfast—found a lump in her breast last year. Time seemed to have flown between my grandmother’s diagnosis and Aunt V’s, and I irrationally wished there were some limit to how much cancer a single family should face. Aunt V’s cancer was removed with a mastectomy and she was declared cancer-free. We were enormously grateful.
A few years ago my beloved stepmother found a rice-grain-sized lump during a self-exam. She called her doctor and was given an appointment weeks later. My sister wouldn’t accept that delay and managed to get the appointment moved up to two days. Soon after, we learned the lump was cancerous.
I won’t cite survival statistics here because numbers don’t capture what these women mean to me. I am beyond grateful that my grandmother and Aunt V survived their treatments, and I am devastated that Val did not. Breast cancer, frankly, is cruel. Val taught me many lessons through her experience. She disliked framing her experience as a “fight” and bristled at being labeled “brave,” yet she met everything with a wit and humor unlike anyone I’ve known. She delighted in using cancer as an excuse to decline social invitations: “I’m sorry. I can’t make it that night. I have cancer!” Everyone—nurses, doctors, friends—loved her for her warmth and quiet moxie.
When her cancer spread to her spine and hip, we learned a medical nuance that felt both bewildering and oddly funny: metastatic tumors are still named for their origin, so cancer in her hip was still called breast cancer. When spots later appeared on her brain, she quipped, “I’ve had to think about my breasts a great deal, but now my breasts are really on my brain. Literally.” It’s a strange, wrenching thing to both laugh and cry at the same time.
Living with the constant uncertainty of a loved one’s diagnosis is exhausting. You’re grateful for every extra moment, and yet you always want more. In those times I’m unabashedly greedy for more days together.
Breasts. I’ll say it plainly: breasts. Please perform a self-exam this month—and make it a monthly habit. Early detection saves lives. Keep your breasts on your mind and prioritize checkups; I want you here as long as I am here to write.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Pink ribbons and themed merchandise raise awareness, but the most important action is a regular, monthly self-check that helps you notice changes between visits. Early detection makes a real difference. If you want to support research and patient programs, consider donating to reputable organizations working on prevention, treatment, and support. This month at JCPenney you can round up purchases to the nearest dollar to support JCPenney Cares, which helps fund breast cancer awareness and related programs. Small change at the register can add up to meaningful support for research and services.
A Giveaway
Giveaway: JCPenney is offering a $100 JCPenney gift card to one Foodie with Family reader. Use it however you like—perhaps to purchase items to donate to a local breast health clinic or to purchase comforting items for someone undergoing treatment, like a cozy blanket or soft pajamas.
How to enter: Answer one of the questions below in the comments:
- Have you or someone you love been personally affected by breast cancer?
- Ladies: do you perform faithful monthly self-checks?
- What do you do to help with breast cancer awareness?
Sweepstakes rules (summary):
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive up to two entries by choosing entry methods such as leaving a comment here or sharing on social media and linking back.
- Other entry options include tweeting about the promotion with the required hashtag or blogging about the promotion and leaving a link—follow the official rules for full details and alternate entry methods if you don’t have Twitter or a blog.
- This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected by random draw and notified by e-mail. Winners must respond within 72 hours or a new winner will be selected.
- Official rules and entry period details were provided with the original promotion; please consult those resources for exact dates and full legal terms.
