Reality hit me when, after having my mammogram, the doctor told me my biopsy came positive for breast cancer. At the moment of such life changing diagnosis, all thoughts and ideas crossed my mind, but the truth is that despite it all, I felt quite lucky. Thankfully, I had caught it early, which makes it a highly curable disease; plus, having had it the year that we were all locked in our homes with our family, was the best possible scenario: What better than a positive support group that had to be around all the time? As tough as it seemed, my treatment worked out quite well, with the results from the surgery being much better than expected. It is now my intention to transmit what I learned to those that are going through it. While each scenario is different and has its own set of challenges, I hope that this blog helps those that follow.
According to the report “Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care”, measures of the number of women ages 50-74 who received a mammogram in the last two years have been declining. This implies less screening. If you take something from reading this, please note that I can’t stress enough how important screening is. For those who have a strong family history, DNA testing is highly recommended. Now let’s mention the factors that we can control: diet, sleep, chronic stress, exercise, and alcohol intake. A diet including a variety of colored vegetables, along with fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean meat is the general consensus. The guidelines are to exercise approximately 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, with twice a week of strength training; and maintaining a normal BMI of up to 24.9.
During this process, I spoke with many women who were going through my same situation. Many of them wrestled with anxiety and fear of the unknown, because, let’s face it, no matter how much we take care of ourselves, things can happen. Even the name “breast cancer survivor” is full of negativity. Why not change it to “breast cancer conqueror”. I believe we each have to evaluate what this transformation implies and find the beauty in it. A diagnosis of breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence. It can also be an eye opening experience, where we just have to let the magic begin as the unfolding process enchants us and shows us its meaning. In my case, I had to make some lifestyle adjustments, but I also learned how powerful our mind can be. Which brings me to the next topic on my list: the need for a calm mind made possible through meditation, a positive support group, or whatever works for you.
At Med Aesthetics Miami, we have focused on wellness and aesthetics. Preventive wellness is the key to aging well, yet maintaining our youth from the inside out. Now more than ever, we will be focusing on bringing the best treatments and products. We are extending our gamut of offerings to those who, like me, can benefit from our selection. Call us to find out what treatments we are adding that may benefit you, but also, if you have any questions, please reach out to us. Don’t forget, “Our Promise Is More Than Beauty”.