Start Where You Are
You have probably read/heard the quote:
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can”
It sounds cheesy but it’s not. No one starts off being perfect at anything. Everyone who is great at something started of new and unknowledgeable about their field. Sometimes even with less resources than you and I have.
We all learn and grow in whatever we decide to get into. Starting my blog for instance, was a major non-work related commitment that I picked up this year and I have certainly grown over the last four months. I have equally witnessed some of my friends starting different ventures. It is such a beautiful process to watch and be part of their growth. As I mentioned in this reflection about my work and how it affects me, life is about iterations and incremental building. So go ahead and start that podcast, that business, that online class, that hobby.
The sooner you start the faster you make mistakes and learn from them.
Running Is Very Important To Me
If there’s one thing I have certainly achieved this year is a runner’s high. This is a feeling of psychological well-being that is often associated with long-duration, rhythmic-type exercise. Running not only boosts my endorphins regularly but also improves my general psychological outlook in life. I can write about this bit all day, but I’ll save that for another blog post for other running enthusiasts.
I would highly recommend getting into something that gets you active. It doesn’t have to be running or any tough exercise, but anything outside of your regular activities can be great for your mood.
Boundaries are a Form of Protection
It is one thing to say that I am “protecting my energy” and another to entertain things/people/self-induced actions that do the opposite. It is a painful betrayal of self. This year I strived to reinforce my boundaries by enforcing them with family, friends and myself. From conversations I did not want to be part of, to activities I did not want to do. It can even be financial obligations you did not wish to commit to. Boundaries serve to protect you. Although I am not where I want to be in terms of communicating my boundaries better, I am taking this aspect of my life with me into the future.
Support is a Two-Way Traffic
“Surround yourself with people who would mention your name in a room full of opportunities”
Sounds cheesy, I know. But the essence of it is very important. You need people who will cheer you on as much as you cheer them on. Someone bringing your name up for something means that they believe in you enough to do so. They believe that you are worthy of those opportunities. Sure, there are going to be times when one person needs more support than the other, that is very natural. However, there should be a mutual sense of support from each party in whichever way each person can show up(moral support, emotional support, financial support, professional support etc).
Is there something positive that came up for you this year? Please share in the comment section below.
1. 3-D Mammograms
- 3-D mammograms (also called tomosynthesis) add another dimension to the traditional mammogram. Instead of just two views of the breast, 3-D mammograms allow radiologists to view from multiple angles. More images mean clearer detail, better detection and fewer errors
- This technology is especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue, whose breasts are harder to examine with traditional mammograms and who may be at higher risk of developing cancer
2. Testing for the BRCA genes
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are associated with breast cancer (as well as ovarian cancer in women, prostate cancer in men and several other types of cancer). The National Cancer Institute estimates that 72% of women with a BRCA1 gene mutation and 69% of women with a BRCA2 gene mutation will develop breast cancer in their lifetimes.
- While these gene mutations clearly play a critical role in breast cancer risk, it’s also important to know that only 5-10 percent of breast cancer cases are related to genetic history. Not having BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations doesn’t mean you’re not at risk for breast cancer, and you still should talk with your health care professional about the right breast cancer screening for you.
3. Molecular Breast Imaging
- Researchers are also exploring the possibility of using molecular breast imaging (sometimes called scintimammography or breast-specific gamma imaging) to detect breast cancer. It may be used together with a mammogram or ultrasound for women who have dense breast tissue or are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
- This form of imaging works by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (called tracers) into the arm. Then, small cameras record the tracer for about 40 minutes to create images of each breast. Cancer cells absorb the tracer faster than regular cells, so areas that show the most tracer will appear highlighted in the image. This technology may help doctors get a better look at breast tissue to determine whether a biopsy is needed, which can help you avoid unneeded procedures.
4. Circulating Tumor Cells
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed by tumors and enter the blood. Using liquid biopsies, doctors can analyze these CTCs and may be able to learn a lot about early stages of breast cancer. By looking at CTCs with liquid biopsies, they may be able to determine the stage of cancer, how cancer is responding to treatment and how likely it is to come back
SOURCES: https://www.preventcancer.org/2018/10/4-breast-cancer-screening-tests-you-should-know-about/
