As I sat down to write this month’s letter, I could not help but feel emotional. Many people have had to face cancer at some point in their lives, whether they have battled it personally or have helped nurse a loved one through the process. If you have not been affected by cancer thus far in life, consider yourself lucky.

Cancer affected my life at a very young age. My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was only four years old. She was diagnosed at the age of 27 and passed away within a year. She left behind two daughters and a husband that loved her deeply.

My mother went to the doctor complaining of discomfort and pain and was told there was swelling in her lymph nodes, but that it would go down and there was nothing to worry about. After a few weeks of little improvement, she sought out the opinion of another doctor and was informed that she had tumors under her arms and in both breasts. My mother then suffered through months of radiation and chemotherapy – which caused her hair to fall out in clumps – and underwent a double mastectomy, only to find out that the cancer had already spread to other parts of her body and some of her vital organs. She passed away in 1985.

Since the early 1990s, breast cancer has received mainstream attention. Money has been poured into extensively researching the disease. While there have been vast advancements in diagnosing and treating breast cancer, the best way to stay healthy is to have an annual mammogram.

Because of my family history, I have been getting annual mammograms since I was 25. I plan to be here to see my four kids grow up and have families of their own. As aestheticians, you spend your days taking care of others and helping them to feel better about themselves. However, you cannot continue to do what you love if you do not first take care of yourself. Today, I encourage you to take the first step in being healthy.

Get screened!

Melissa Lawrence
Membership Director