The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be approximately 233,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer this year. Of those estimated cases, around 40,000 will result in death.

Although age is a factor in breast cancer risk, there are so many individual factors at play that the statistical averages don’t really paint a very full picture. Among those factors are genetics (Hi, there BRCA1), tissue density, body weight, alcohol consumption, and, OF COURSE, family history.

I cannot tell all of you frequently enough to know your risks. Knowledge isn’t necessarily power – I know that there’s a lot of disagreement over that idiom. But knowledge can help you to make your best daily choices: both medical and lifestyle choices. So many risk factors are beyond our control, and avoiding the risks that we can control is no guarantee that you will avoid a diagnosis of breast cancer in your lifetime. It is just, as I see it, trying to assure that the “odds be ever in your favor.”

I write to remind you all of this today as a beautiful family member of mine moved beyond her battle this week. She fought heroically for 12 years, against our exciting family genetic cancer tree. She will be greatly missed, but she – in my opinion – achieved what victory we can achieve with this delightful disease (excuse my sarcasm): she set her own terms.

Your health is your own, absolutely. I want each and every one of you to optimize that health and be ready to be a warrior.

Love and blessings to you all. For some reason, I strongly feel that we should take a moment to listen to Queen. Perhaps that’s because Moses has been running around singing this at home this week. 🙂