Facebook I Like It Status Brings Awareness for Breast Cancer

Have you noticed your female friends getting a little personal with their Facebook status recently? A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine has found that the “sexual repertoire” of Americans has expanded. This study, released earlier this week, has absolutely nothing to do with the “I Like It” updates, however. The fun is actually intended to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Read: Everything Turns Pink During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

After January’s successful “bra color”, breast cancer campaign organizers are asking women to update their Facebook status with a vague reference to where they like to put their purse when they come in the house. It is not known who started the campaign, or exactly how they came up with the idea. But the trend is taking off, as more people are intrigued by the statuses and searching the internet for more information.

Although the campaign has been fun, some experts feel that it may not reach the objective of actually raising awareness of breast cancer. A spokesperson for Breast Cancer Care (not affiliated with the campaign), said “While viral campaigns have great potential for increasing consciousness around many issues, we’d like to see this go further. We’d encourage people to direct their Facebook friends towards helpful support and information to create better breast awareness…or reminding their friends to check their breasts regularly when they explain what the campaign is about.”

Read: Learn about Breast Cancer Misconceptions

So to that end, eMaxHealth encourages all women to learn more about their risk for developing breast cancer and to adopt healthful lifestyle changes to prevent the disease or to detect breast lumps earlier for treatment that improves cure and survival rates.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure recommends the following:
• Talk with your healthcare provider about your personal risk for breast cancer, including evaluating your family history of the disease.
• Ask your doctor when to begin screening tests for breast cancer. Most physicians recommend a clinical exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20 and then every year beginning at age 40. Many will also recommend having regular mammograms beginning at age 40 for those at average risk.
• Women should conduct regular breast self-exams and look for changes such as a lump or thickening of the tissue, swelling or redness, a change in breast size or shape, nipple discharge or pain in one spot that does not go away.
• Achieve or maintain a healthful weight with diet and exercise.
• Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.