My Grandmother died from breast cancer, but she didn’t have to. She found a lump and went to the doctor who examined her.  He told her not to worry- it was nothing.  The next time she went it had already metastasized to her brain. She left behind a beloved husband and five girls, the oldest, my mother who was only 18 at the time.

The reason I share this story is because first and foremost doctors are humans and they make mistakes. In my Grandmother’s time they were looked upon as vast pillars of ultimate knowledge, trusted without question.  People did what their doctor told them to do, because they had acquired knowledge about the human body the rest of us didn’t.

I have worked in the healthcare industry for some time now, and unfortunately been on the receiving end of the industry as well.  Let me just say, you know your body better than anyone else. You are inside that body experiencing what is going on. A good doctor will listen to you, an inept one won’t. A great doctor will make you a partner in your healing, guiding you with his/her knowledge and asking for your input.

October is breast cancer awareness month, this is a good thing.  But we have those breasts for the other eleven months as well. Tune in to your body every month, listen to what it is telling you and if things don’t feel right find a doctor who will listen to you and guide you. Be proactive in your health and well being. Being healthy is a gift not only for you but for those you love.