Hi, I really applaud the idea of promoting self examination in schools. I am an ex high school teacher and haven't taught in 15 years. I remember taking a lesson for a colleague on health for students in senior years where cancer in general was discussed. Male and female students were educated on the need to be vigilant for changes in their bodies but there was no lesson for girls on how to do a breast examination.
I am 47 (am I considered young?) and was never taught how to self examine. Thank goodness I picked it up somewhere. But I never examined regularly just whenever I remembered. I found my lump after seeing a tv ad on breast cancer awareness month last October which prompted me to check. Being "young" I ended up being HER2+ which they say is more aggressive. I have never heard of free mammograms for women under 50 and my GP who is a breast cancer survivor herself never recommended I should have one. I have zero family history of any type of cancer and so I never thought I would need a mammogram. Are they offered in all states or just for women with a family history?
Other things I never knew before being diagnosed include: there are different types of breast cancer and it doesn't always present as a lump (my felt like a thickening in the skin), chemotherapy can put you into early menopause, and the importance of Vitamin D in preventing breast cancer. I believe information about vitamin D is very important for young women as levels are plummeting thanks to the take-up of social media (more women inside on computers and electronic devices for longer) and the strong message to stay out of the sun.
Good luck with your book. I think it's a great idea.
Take care, Nadine
