Check 'em Out

Last night, my brave aunt Anne McDowell finally lost her long and well fought battle against breast cancer. She was so young, it's just so sad, but it makes me happy to know that she's no longer confined to a broken body. My heart goes out to her husband, her 5 sons, her grandchildren, her mother and her siblings who are left behind. She was always a wonderful example of optimism and finding the joy in life. She was always tough and a gamer (you'd have to be as the mother of 5 boys) and a model of faith and steadfastness. I never heard her complain about her health (or anything else for that matter) and she has always been a wonderful friend and support to me. This picture was taken a week ago as she attended her youngest son's high school volleyball state tournament. A wonderful mother all the way to the end! Kim and I will be boarding a plane this evening to attend the viewing tomorrow and the funeral on Saturday, and will stay in AZ until Tuesday evening. Please lend your prayers to the McDowell and Bob & Lee Flaherty family.

That being said, I need to do a better job of getting myself checked on a regular basis and I would encourage all my friends and family to do the same, even if you don't have a family history of cancer. Perhaps its because I work right next to the Huntsman Cancer Institute that I am constantly reminded, or because its in my family. It's never too early to get checked, but it is possible to be too late. Numerous studies have shown that if breast cancer is detected early and has not spread to other organs, the survival rate is 94%. If it has only spread to nearby organs, the survival rate is 73%. Once cancer has spread beyond nearby organs, the survival rate is 18% As early cancer usually goes undetected, the best way to catch it is to have a professional screening at least every 3 years under the age of 40, (annually after 40) and perform self exams monthly. Ok, there is my plug. I know it's unpleasant to do, but I've never met a woman who regretting getting checked!