This Viral Photo Can Help Women Detect Signs of Breast Cancer
It doesn't have to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month for you to look for signs of breast cancer in your own life. Understanding what's normal in your body and even which foods can increase your risk of the disease is so important. That includes doing regular at-home checks for various kinds of cancer, but you need to know what to look for.
In 2017, Erin Smith Chieze posted a photo from the Worldwide Breast Cancer organization's Know Your Lemons campaign on Facebook. "In December of 2015 when I saw an indentation that looked like one of those pictures, I instantly knew I had breast cancer," she says. "I tried to feel for a tumor, but my tumor was non palpable. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 days later and with stage 4 the following month… I knew what breast cancer was. I knew all about self exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease."
The photo shows 12 different lemons representing breasts, with each displaying a different sign that can indicate the presence of breast cancer. From skin erosion to a growing vein, dimpling to a thick mass, there are plenty of ways to try to spot the disease. Although the last lemon reminds us that cancer can also be invisible to the naked eye.
Remember, if you even slightly suspect something's up, head to the doctor to get checked out ASAP.
How do you look for signs of breast cancer? Tweet us @BritandCo!
Featured image via National Cancer Institute/Unsplash