Posted on 25th Oct 2011 @ 8:21 PM

October is breast cancer awareness month... 

& pink ribbons seem to be everywhere.

But despite all the publicity when was the last time you had a breast exam,

either a self exam or medical?

If it’s more than a month (self) or more than a year (medical) it’s high time you lifted your shirt!

In the U.S. 12.68% of all women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with 33% eventually losing their battle with the disease.

Thanks to the technology available to us, there are more and more effective treatments to fight breast cancer.  However, you can’t treat the disease if you’re not aware that it’s there.  Being proactive, keeping up with monthly self exams and paying attention for unusual lumps or discharge can lead to breast cancer being caught early, giving you a greater chance of survival.

The rise in breast cancer has been dramatic. In 1960, 1 in 20 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, that number has sky rocketed, up to every 1 in 8 women today.

The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2011:

• About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
• About 39,520 deaths from breast cancer (women)

Whilst the majority of the cases were in people over the age of 45, tragically the number of women under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer continues to rise. A crucial first step towards detection is to make monthly self exams a priority, along with a yearly doctor’s visit and after 40 get an annual mammogram.  If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to get it checked out.  The sooner you do, the sooner treatment (if needed) can begin. For those whose breast cancer is detected in the early stages the survival rate is increasing every year and is currently around 96%, Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Need a month monthly reminder? Just "like" the Check 'em, Keep 'em facebook page and we will post a reminder just once a month.

Sunny Sleevez is delighted to announce a timely new addition to the Sunny Beads, UV detecting jewelry.

The Pink Ribbon necklace features an angel carrying a pink ribbon and  is not only a stunning reminder to

"Check 'em, so you can keep 'em", but the white beads also change color in the sun as a brilliant reminder to cover up in the sun.

Available at PINK-RIBBON-ANGEL

The pink ribbon angel as well as ALL beads are Made in America

Sunny Sleeve Pink Ribbon sun sleeves are available at

 PINK-RIBBON-Sun-Sleeve  

So what are you waiting for?

Check ‘em, so you can keep ‘em!