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It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." Today is the day we stare down breast cancer and decide that we are stronger, we are smarter, and we will never live in denial about our health. Partner with your local Spirit of Women hospital to achieve a life filled with overall good health– and be CANCER-FREE.

Healthy living, knowing your risks, and getting screened often will keep breast cancer at bay. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. They make up an army of advocates who have proven to be formidable opponents against the disease. Your local Spirit of Women hospital is joining forces with your community in the battle against breast cancer and wants to make sure you are well-equipped for a fair fight.

Aside from lifestyle changes, the MOST IMPORTANT ACTION a woman can take is to follow early detection guidelines. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, breast cancer can be more effectively treated when caught in the earlier stages. Screenings have even been shown to reduce mortality rates.

EVERYONE can be susceptible to breast cancer, especially women, but you don't have to fall victim to it. Check with your local Spirit of Women hospital for the latest guidelines for the girls - we are learning more every day so that not one more mother, sister, daughter or wife is lost to breast cancer.

Click on the book links below to stay on top of your health and wellness with recommended reading selections at Amazon.com.
The Survivor Spirit: The Beauty, Passion & Power of Breast Cancer Survivors by Cynthia Y.H. Derosier and James Anshutz		Fit to Live: The 5-Point Plan to be Lean, Strong, and Fearless for Life by Pamela Peeke, M.D. M.P.H., F.A.C.P.		Taking Care of Your Girls: A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens by Marisa C. Weiss and Isabel Friedman

Make a choice for better health. Visit spiritofwomen.org.

Below is a list of screenings you should take advantage of to protect your girls:

1. Mammograms (also considered a clinical breast exam) are X-ray images of the breast.

• Digital mammograms expose women to a lesser dosage of radiation and are seen to be more accurate in women under the age of 50, women with radiographically dense breasts, and remenopausal women.
• Diagnostic mammograms are used to check for breast cancer after a lump
  or other symptoms or signs of breast cancer have been found.

2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnet, radio waves and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

3. Ultrasounds use sound waves to produce images.