|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sherry Provine makes a pink ribbon to honor her sister-in-law, Cherie England, who died of breast cancer last year.
|
|
|
|
|
By BRITTANY HUGGINS
Staff Writer
October is recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Grenadian Sherry Provine encourages women to care for their bodies year-round.
“Having one month dedicated to breast heath awareness is ideal for someone like me, who schedules their yearly mammograms during October, but others may choose a month that better suites them,” said Provine, who is an 11-year breast cancer survivor. “Choose a month that works best for you and schedule your mammogram. Do it as a gift to yourself. It could be what saves your life.”
Provine said another effective way to detect breast cancer is through monthly breast self-exams.
“Eleven years ago I found a lump in my breast while doing a self-exam. I was lying down, and when I coughed, I felt it,” said Provine.
“Women know their bodies better than anyone, and this is why self-exams are so important. When I went to my doctor he told me that because the cancer was so aggressive, if I had waited four months until my yearly mammogram, it would have been too late.”
A new product that assists during breast self-exams called Liv Aid, is available only at Curves. This product enhances feeling, according to Curves employee Wanda Chandler.
Some common signs to look for while administering a breast self-exam, according to Provine, are any new, hard lumps or thickening in any part of the breast, change in the breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, swelling, redness or warmth that does not go away, pain in one spot that does not vary with your monthly cycle, pulling in of the nipple, nipple discharge that starts suddenly and appears only in one breast, and an itchy, sore or scaling area on one nipple.
After Provine learned she had breast cancer, she said it felt like she had been stabbed in the stomach.
“I felt helpless. I thought I was going to die, but I knew I had to be positive, or my negative thinking was going to kill me,” said Provine.
She said that once a person has been diagnosed, they can either choose to be better or be bitter.
“I chose to be better, and for 11 years I have fought my cancer head-on and I have never given up. God has a plan for all of us, and I believe he spared my life so that I could help others,” she said. “Because I chose to do better, I am able to hold hands with those in the darkness who are struggling.”
Provine has spent many years being a voice of hope for women with breast cancer. She has participated in numerous outreach programs such as Tell a Friend, Reach to Recovery, Look Good, Feel Better and cancer support groups.
Her goal is to educate women by informing them of the facts.
Some of the risk factors of breast cancer, according to Provine, include sex, age, personal history, family history, the breast cancer gene, having a first pregnancy after age 25 or 35, having no children and use of Hormone Replacement Therapy.
“Women should obtain yearly mammogram screenings starting at age 40, obtain annual clinical breast exams, perform monthly breast self-exams and obtain a risk assessment from a physician,” said Provine.
For more information about the Liv Aid, contact Curves in Grenada, at 229-9888.
If you are someone dealing with a recent diagnosis or loss and need support, contact Provine at 662-227-1801.
|
|
|
|
|