Shallom Abla Lumor’s Post

It’s breast cancer awareness day. Get screened Get tested Early detection save lives #pinkoctober #breastcancerawareness

Raise your girls outside the box..................... Raising girls to fit into a predetermined societal mold can be limiting, and it's important for parents to understand why breaking free from these expectations is crucial for their daughters' growth and well-being. Society often places girls in a box defined by outdated gender norms, which dictate how they should look, behave, and even what they should aspire to be. But raising girls this way can stifle their potential, limit their self-expression, and hinder their ability to thrive as confident individuals. ~Limiting Their Potential: When girls are raised to fit into societal expectations, they may be discouraged from exploring interests or careers outside traditional feminine roles. Encouraging girls to explore a variety of subjects and passions—whether it's science, technology, art, or leadership—allows them to discover their strengths and pursue careers they are genuinely passionate about, without feeling confined to what's “appropriate” for girls. ~Stifling Authenticity: Teaching girls to conform to how society says they should act, or think takes away from their authentic self. Girls raised with the expectation to be “polite,” “modest,” or “quiet” may end up suppressing their individuality or natural leadership qualities. Instead of pushing them to meet outdated standards, parents should encourage their daughters to embrace who they are—whether that means being outspoken, adventurous, or bold. ~Restricting Emotional Freedom: Society often teaches girls to be overly emotional in nurturing ways or to downplay feelings that don’t align with femininity, like anger or frustration. However, emotional intelligence means recognizing and expressing the full range of feelings. Girls should be allowed to feel strong emotions and stand up for themselves without fear of being seen as “unladylike” or “too aggressive.” ~Encouraging Confidence Over Compliance: When girls are raised to fit into a mold, they often internalize the message that compliance is valued over confidence. They may grow up feeling that their worth is tied to being agreeable, modest, or “perfect,” which can hinder self-esteem and independence. Instead, parents should foster a sense of confidence in their daughters, teaching them to advocate for themselves, set boundaries, and trust their own voices. ~Breaking Stereotypes for Future Generations: Raising girls to think outside the box is not just important for them, but for the generations that come after. By raising strong, independent girls today, parents can contribute to dismantling harmful stereotypes that perpetuate gender inequality. Encouraging independence, critical thinking, and self-expression will help girls grow into women who break boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and lead fulfilling, empowered lives. By letting girls be who they truly are, parents give them the greatest gift of all—the freedom to be themselves. #internationaldayofthegirlchild

You’re too young. You don’t have a family history of cancer in women under 50—only postmenopausal. You’re breastfeeding; you’re healthy. All of these thoughts and more are so reassuring as a 33-year-old mom with a 6 year old and a 7 month old who had been dealing with a “stubborn clogged milk duct.” So much so, in fact, that I leaned into these reassurances despite the lump getting bigger and more painful. I was sent for a formal ultrasound, which determined the lump was solid. Still, no one mentioned the “c” word. Lactating women get benign masses all the time, I was told. So I was still pretty unphased even as we scheduled the core needle biopsy. I met my new surgeon and medical oncologist the next day. They explained that my tumor was 5.7cm, and was slightly estrogen positive. They said it was behaving aggressively and more in line with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and they wanted to treat it as such. Because it was so large, the plan was to do chemotherapy first. The ultrasound suggested possible lymph node activity, and the PET detected a mass in the area of my right ovary. My oncologist ordered bloodwork. The CA 27.29 blood test, which can potentially pick up breast cancer, came back high—as expected. But she ran another, one that could suggest ovarian cancer (CA 125), and that came back elevated as well. The next day I was in an appointment with a gynecologic oncologist and scheduled surgery for the following day to remove my right ovary and fallopian tubes. I had my right ovary and fallopian tube removed the week before Thanksgiving. Somehow, everything came back benign. My surgeon couldn’t find a mass. No one had an explanation, though my blood work has shown normal numbers since then. I started Adriamycin/Cytoxan (AC) chemo the day before Thanksgiving, and our wonderful neighbors brought us dinner so we didn’t have to cook. My hair started falling out 13 days later, the day before round two. I did four rounds of AC, followed by 12 rounds of Taxol. After completing chemo, I was given a couple of weeks to recover and we completed new imaging in preparation for surgery. My next tests were completed at the end of April: another mammogram, ultrasound, and PET scan. My tumor had shrunk to 0.8cm! Because of that, my surgeon was able to suggest a lumpectomy, followed by radiation. The pathology of the remaining disease came back as triple negative, so I am currently taking Xeloda, an oral chemo that is sometimes recommended for TNBC patients. It’s been a long road, but I am so glad I didn’t wait any longer than I did to get my symptoms checked out by my doctor. I have one more cycle of Xeloda and then I will hopefully be finished! From Surviving Breast Cancer organisation by Mandy Richardson Are you a breast cancer survivor? Can you share your story via an audio event? Please email us at forshesafrica@gmail.com #AwarenessSavesLives #BreastCancerAwareness #Pinkoctober

My life was saved, and forever changed, by a very unlikely person. Alexis was a 23-year-old single mother who was raised in the foster care system in 17 different homes. When I met Alexis, she was nearing the end of her life. She had stage IV breast cancer and was looking for someone to raise her 9-month-old baby girl. I couldn’t stop thinking about this young mom and her baby with zero support. That was unimaginable from someone who has a family like mine… Alexis rode home from chemo on the public bus. That is not okay. I couldn’t sleep. After three nights, my husband Steve was like, “What is wrong with you?” I tell him. I beg him to meet Alexis. He says, “Heather… seriously? We already have three kids and our youngest isn’t even 2 yet!” I beg, and beg and BEG. Finally he agrees to meet Alexis. You know, just to help with groceries… So there we are, in the back of a grocery store parking lot. One with a bus stop in it so that Alexis could take the bus to come meet us. I remember it like it was yesterday. This tiny woman, maybe 100 pounds sopping wet, gets off the bus wearing a black mini skirt and a neon pink wig. She walked with such authority. She walked right past me and straight up to Steve and said, “I need help. I want my baby to have a better life than I did.” Steve’s heart melted into a puddle, and within the week we began the process of adopting Lexi. We became a family of six and our two girls, only 11 months apart, even slept in the same crib. We took Alexis to treatment and let her spend as much time with baby Lexi as she had the energy to do. Alexis passed away shortly after turning 24. About 18 months after we adopted Lexi, she was adjusted enough that she could stay with my parents, and Steve and I went away for our anniversary. I was 31. On that trip, I did my first ever self breast exam and I found a lump. I wasn’t worried. I still thought I was invincible. I thought that lump was nothing; Steve wasn’t so sure. Four days later, I was diagnosed with the EXACT same type of aggressive breast cancer (ER/PR- HER2+) that took Lexi’s first mom. I was angry. Very angry. My kids had just witnessed Alexis die from this awful disease. How could this be happening? Was Lexi going to lose TWO moms to breast cancer before she even entered kindergarten? Not only did Alexis give us the incredible gift of Lexi, but she also saved my life. As she was dying, Alexis told me to make sure young women did self breast exams. If it wasn’t for Alexis, I would never have done that self breast exam. I wouldn’t have found that lump. I would have been dead long before my first mammogram at 40. After a double mastectomy, Adriamycin/Cytoxan chemotherapy, and a year of Herceptin targeted therapy, I was declared cancer-free. Survivor story shared by Heather Salazar on Surviving Breast Cancer Are you a breast cancer survivor? Can you share your story via an audio event? Email us at forshesafrica@gmail.com #awarenesssaveslives #BreastCancerAwareness

On June 26, 2024 I woke at 3:00 in the morning with pains in my left breast. I squeezed my breast to stop it from hurting and discovered a small lump next to my areola. I woke my husband three hours later, and he confirmed he could feel the lump. As it was a public holiday, I waited until the following Tuesday to get a GP appointment. My doctor referred me to St George’s Hospital Tooting, to the two-week wait (2WW) scheme. I phoned them on the Friday of the same week I saw my doctor, querying I had heard nothing. They said that unfortunately it would be much longer than two weeks’ wait, and I wouldn’t be seen before July 4 at the earliest. I went private and saw a breast specialist at Parkside Hospital Wimbledon; he promptly sent me for an ultrasound. The radiologist said that the ultrasound showed an irregular shape with a diameter of 15 mm, which should be biopsied. On June 4, I had a core biopsy, which was very painful despite the numbing injection. It left a horrific bruise across my breast for weeks. On June 12 I was referred back to the NHS at St George’s. I was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. My cancer was ER positive and HER2 equivocal, so I would have to wait another week for results. I was advised to go on our 29th wedding anniversary trip to Rhodes and the breast consultant would contact me the following Wednesday to tell me if I was HER2 positive or negative. In the meantime, he scheduled me for a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy on July 4, unless my cancer was HER2 positive – then he would cancel the biopsy and start with chemotherapy to shrink it. The surgery would be exactly 3 weeks from my breast cancer diagnosis. On June 19 I found out I was HER2 negative, so the lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy went ahead on July 4. So here I am with my M&S post-op bra on, two surgical bandages on my left breast from the lumpectomy and node removal/biopsy. I had a bad reaction to the anesthetic and was dizzy and sick, but each day I’m feeling a bit stronger. Lying on my back to sleep is hard, and I have sharp pains where the surgery was. I had my follow-up on July 17 to find out what the lump size is, if it has spread to my auxiliary node and surrounding tissue, and what treatment is in store for me next. I learned that I have an Oncotype DX score of 30, and I will have 8 rounds of chemotherapy starting on August 21. I’m mostly strong and optimistic, but I have bouts of depressing thoughts. I find meditation and deep breathing a great help. "Survivor story shared by Verity Lester on Surviving Breast Cancer. Are you a breast cancer survivor? Would you like to share your story through an audio event? contact us on forshesafrica@gmail.com #AwarenessSavesLives #earlydetectioncansavelives #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #survivorstoriesmatter

I had no symptoms! It all started from a routine check-up with my OB. She asked if I wanted to check my breasts, and I agreed. She felt something, but thought it could just be milk coming in. To be cautious, she ordered a sonogram. After the sonogram, they ordered a biopsy, and that’s when I received the diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma, ER/PR positive, HER2 negative, grade 3. Facing a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy is a rare and challenging experience that can impact both your health and your unborn child’s well-being. The journey of managing cancer while pregnant is filled with unique obstacles, affecting your emotional and physical resilience. Concerns about how cancer treatment might affect not only your health but also the well-being of your baby and your future fertility are natural. My husband and I personally underwent this journey when I was diagnosed 14 weeks into my pregnancy. We scheduled surgery a couple of weeks later and did a lumpectomy when I was 16 weeks pregnant. I started chemotherapy during my third trimester, just before being induced, and continued with more chemo after my baby was born, followed by radiation. My doctor recommended the TC chemotherapy regimen with both docetaxel (Taxotere) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). It was an intense journey, but having faith and a plan helped me focus on both my health and my baby’s well being. My experience being pregnant while battling cancer was a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, I was filled with the joy of expecting my baby, but on the other hand, I was terrified of what the diagnosis meant for both of us. Every decision about treatment carried the weight of not just my health, but my unborn child’s well-being. Chemotherapy while pregnant felt overwhelming, and I constantly wondered if I was making the right choice to protect my daughter. All this was very hard to go through during the postpartum period, but I got through it. There were moments when the exhaustion felt unbearable, but having my family and medical team by my side made a huge difference. My husband, my faith, and a strong support system of friends and loved ones helped me get through the toughest days. In the end, I was blessed with a healthy baby girl who I named Journi, symbolizing the transformative journey we embarked on together. It was during this experience that my mission crystallized: to support and empower other expectant mothers facing a similar challenge. I want them to know that it is feasible to navigate pregnancy alongside treatment and still bring forth a healthy, joyful baby. "Survivor story shared by Alicia Henry Harris on Surviving Breast Cancer. Are you a breast cancer survivor? Would you like to share your story through an audio event? contact us on forshesafrica@gmail.com #AwarenessSavesLives #EarlyDetectionMatters #BreastCancerAwareness #SurvivorStoriesMatter

Did you know? Breast cancer was once referred to as "Nun's Disease." As far back as the 1700s, breast cancer was prevalent among nuns, leading to this historical name. However, research has since shown that not only nuns are at risk—breast cancer affects everyone, including women, men, and even pets like cats and dogs. This year’s breast cancer awareness campaign is centered around the theme: "No one should face breast cancer alone." In line with this, Forshes Africa Magazine has focused its campaign on "Sharing the Survivor’s Story," highlighting the power of personal experiences to inspire, raise awareness, and build a supportive community. We believe that survivor stories provide a source of hope to those currently battling breast cancer. Hearing real-life experiences of people who have overcome the disease inspires others to stay positive and keep fighting. These personal accounts raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, helping others to recognize them early. Talking about breast cancer openly helps break down taboos and misconceptions. It normalizes conversations around breast health, encouraging more women to seek information, support, and medical advice without feeling ashamed or afraid. Meanwhile, survivor stories show the strength and resilience of those who have faced breast cancer, which empowers others—both patients and their loved ones—to take control of their health and advocate for themselves throughout their treatment. When people hear about survivors who benefited from early detection, it motivates them to take preventive action, such as scheduling mammograms or conducting self-exams. Survivor stories can be a call to action for others to get tested or seek medical advice. Sharing these stories fosters community among survivors, patients, and advocates. It helps survivors feel less isolated and more supported, knowing they’re part of a larger movement of people who understand their struggles. Are you a breast cancer survivor? Can you share your story via a LinkedIn audio event? Kindly email us at forshesafrica@gmail.com #awarenesssaveslives #AwarenessSavesLives #EarlyDetectionMatters #BreastCancerAwareness #PinkOctober #SurvivorStoriesMatter

1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer. But there is hope. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Awareness of the facts and statistics surrounding breast cancer in the United States is key in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. #AwarenessSavesLives #EarlyDetectionMatters #BreastCancerAwareness #PinkOctober

If you have a woman in your life then do this for her. Pay for her breast cancer screening, or remind her to take the screening. “Early detection is the best protection.” Don’t wait—early detection saves lives! This Pink October, schedule your mammogram or remind a loved one. Together, we can prevent and fight breast cancer. #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #BreastCancerScreening #PinkOctober #HealthMatters

🎉 7 Years and Counting on an Incredible Journey! 🎉 Today marks exactly 7 amazing years since I embarked on the Pink-October Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign! It all started during my Masters at the Ghana Institute of Journalism when I proudly joined the Alliance for Women in Media (AWMA). Since then, it’s been a journey filled with impact, lessons, and inspiring testimonies of women taking bold steps to get breast cancer tests. As October rolls in, the work continues with even more passion and purpose. Here’s to making an even bigger difference this year! 💪🏽 #BreastCancerAwareness #PinkOctober #WomenInMedia #7YearsOfImpact #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #BreastHealthMatters #GIJ #AWMA #EmpowerWomen