| Normally, I write about how self defense and | | | | breast cancer. Some easy examples: Limit |
| combat martial arts training can prevent death | | | | yourself to one drink a day. Maintain a healthy |
| and injury. Today, though, in honor of October | | | | weight - work out together and keep active. |
| being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month | | | | Decrease your fat intake, which can help reduce |
| and as a cancer survivor myself, I am writing | | | | the risk of not just breast cancer but also |
| about another kind of prevention. By the end of | | | | diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. If you |
| the year over 40,000 women will die from breast | | | | and your loved ones work on being healthy |
| cancer in the United States alone. Let that sink in | | | | together, you'll be better off in general and you |
| for a minute. And while the devastating effects of | | | | may be fortunate enough to avoid cancer all |
| breast cancer to the women in our lives are well | | | | together. |
| documented, you should know that while it's less | | | | Sadly, sometimes cancer appears regardless of |
| common, men can also contract breast cancer. | | | | what actions you take, and that could mean |
| The survival rate for those stricken with breast | | | | dealing with the pain and discomfort of radiation |
| cancer has steadily increased over the years, due | | | | and other treatments. Look outside your |
| largely to increased awareness. We all have to do | | | | immediate circle; if you have a friend who is |
| what we can to continue this trend and protect | | | | fighting cancer herself or if you know people |
| the ones we love from this deadly killer. | | | | helping their own loved ones in the fight, let them |
| As with your self defense training, you have to | | | | know they have a shoulder to lean on in you. |
| remain vigilant at all times and take action before | | | | Don't be afraid to act - you can't know how |
| you're attacked. Experts say that women should | | | | much even the smallest gesture can mean to |
| start getting mammograms yearly at the age of | | | | someone in a fight for her life. |
| 40; this is a smart step, but in itself is not enough. | | | | You would never back down in combat, and you |
| Women and men should do self-exams regularly | | | | live without fear - so don't back down when it |
| at home, and see a doctor right away if they find | | | | comes to the health of the people you love. In |
| anything unusual. After all, it's better to hear your | | | | self defense you remain vigilant and strike first; |
| doctor say you have a cyst a week from now | | | | you should also apply these principles to dealing |
| than to hear a year from now that you have a | | | | with a deadly disease like cancer. Guys, be there |
| tumor. Encourage your partner and / or loved | | | | for your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, aunt, or |
| ones to visit the doctor. Talk about these issues | | | | friend when she needs you. |
| to understand how your partner feels - the | | | | Ladies, help the men in your life be strong when |
| toughest and strongest thing you can do is step | | | | they need to be. Be smart and make the healthy |
| up and face your fears together. | | | | changes you need to make together, and don't |
| Also, not all preventative steps have to be | | | | ever let each other feel alone. Don't let the people |
| medical; there are many lifestyle changes people | | | | you love face a killer alone. |
| can make to decrease their odds of getting | | | | |