Many women are participating in certain behaviors that can lead to addiction and health problems. It is best to avoid these risk behaviors all together:
Sun exposure. We love that tan, but every time you expose yourself to the sun, you are putting yourself at risk for skin cancer. Avoid it as much as possible, and if you are still hooked on having a glow, there are several effective self-tanners on the market today.
Tobacco and illegal drug use. Avoid smoking – it is a risk factor for many diseases, including heart disease and cancer. And using illegal drugs is not only against the law, but can lead to severe addiction.
Alcohol. It doesn’t hurt to have a few drinks every once in a while, but if you are drinking every day, there is a problem. Alcohol addiction affects hundreds of thousands of families nation-wide, and is a hard addiction to fight. If you think you are drinking too much, get help now.
Self examinations
Every month, women should be putting their hands all over themselves – literally. Self examinations can add peace of mind, and detect a problem before it has gone too far.
Self breast examination – perform this monthly. Begin by looking in a mirror, your hands to your sides. Note your breast’s shape, color and size. You should see two evenly shaped breasts with no swelling, visible lumps, puckering or nipple changes. If you do see changes, make an appointment with your physician to rule out cancer. Then, gently squeeze your nipples to check for discharge. If you see a yellow or milk-like fluid, you need to be seen by a physician. Next, lie down and begin feeling your breasts – right hand feels left breast, and left hand feels right breast. Cover your whole breast – feel from side to side, up to down, and then starting at the nipple, firmly press on your breast in a circular pattern until you reach the outside of your breast. After that, sit or stand, and while raising your arm, feel the breast again in a circular motion. Make sure you feel every area of the breast.
Self skin examination – perform this monthly. Review each and every mole on your body – note any changes in shape, size and form. Have a friend or husband check the areas you cannot see clearly – your back, buttocks and shoulders. If you note any changes, see your physician for a formal exam.