Avon - Walking the Talk

YESTERDAY morning, October 21, Sunday, the giant cosmetics company Avon held a fun run at the SM MOA. It was part of a 20-day tour that will culminate on October 25 in Davao City. It was last September 18 that “Walk the Talk” was launched, hosted by the pretty GMA-7 star Sarah Lahbati, right on GMA studios. GMA is a partner in Avon’s breast cancer awareness advocacy.

Why “Walk the Talk?” Because instead of just telling women ad nauseam to check their breasts every month -- even a pea-sized growth can signal cancer presence -- they planned on a nationwide tour bringing with them doctors to the malls (SM) and anybody can just walk in and be examined for lumps. At the press conference that was held at GMA, no less than a dozen doctors were on hand to do the breast palpating, properly shielded by cloth cubicles. This is what they planned. Unfortunately, Angeles and even San Fernando, where SM malls are located, were excluded from the tour. (I wonder why.) I did, however, took the chance, since I was actually scheduled to go to my doctor for just the very thing they were offering then and there. The kindly and youngish doctor who examined me was very thorough. She pronounced me safe but advised that I should go for a mammogram. (I did. I’m also scheduled for a breast ultrasound.) I saved on doctor’s PF that day, haha.

One can never be too careful, especially if you have a relative who has had it, though heredity and genes reportedly play a smaller part than a poor lifestyle -- smoking, fatty foods, etc -- in acquiring the deadly disease that is the first biggest cause of mortality among women. The “Pink” crusade, though mostly targeted on women, especially 40 and above (for the yearly mammograms, monthly self examinations), breast cancer can strike men too. Yes, men. One woman I heard on the radio yesterday said her husband was stricken with breast cancer and has passed away. He had all the vices that inevitably led to an early death. Sadly, even a 10-year-old girl was also a victim, the youngest-known among breast cancer victims. The math is simple: Everybody is a potential victim.

Everyone knows somebody who has/had it. My own mother had it, and underwent radical mastectomy when she was I think in her 50s. She lived to the ripe old age of 75, and not from breast cancer. I know that if my mom had it, doctors say I am more prone to contract it. And my own children have about one/half the chance to have it too. But there is a test than determines if you and your siblings have the cancer gene. I had the test several years back, and the test came out clear. I don’t have it. My cousin Sally had breast cancer. She went through the necessary procedures – chemo, radiation -- and is now in remission. Sally’s twin sister Necy had herself tested. She happily said she doesn’t have the gene.

Sally discovered her breast cancer early, and that is a big part of why she is alive now. And this is what all the doctor’s advice, and which Avon avidly advocates. It can spell the difference between life and death.

Help the Avon advocacy by supporting their efforts. You can also buy an Avon lipstick and you’ll have done your small part. For every lipstick you buy, a part of it goes to the fund for breast cancer awareness.