Normally, I write about how self defense and combat martial arts training can prevent death and injury. Today, though, in honor of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as a cancer survivor myself, I am writing about another kind of prevention. By the end of the year over 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in the United States alone. Let that sink in for a minute. And while the devastating effects of breast cancer to the women in our lives are well documented, you should know that while it's less common, men can also contract breast cancer. The survival rate for those stricken with breast cancer has steadily increased over the years, due largely to increased awareness. We all have to do what we can to continue this trend and protect the ones we love from this deadly killer.
As with your self defense training, you have to remain vigilant at all times and take action before you're attacked. Experts say that women should start getting mammograms yearly at the age of 40; this is a smart step, but in itself is not enough. Women and men should do self-exams regularly at home, and see a doctor right away if they find anything unusual. After all, it's better to hear your doctor say you have a cyst a week from now than to hear a year from now that you have a tumor. Encourage your partner and / or loved ones to visit the doctor. Talk about these issues to understand how your partner feels - the toughest and strongest thing you can do is step up and face your fears together.
Also, not all preventative steps have to be medical; there are many lifestyle changes people can make to decrease their odds of getting breast cancer. Some easy examples: Limit yourself to one drink a day. Maintain a healthy weight - work out together and keep active. Decrease your fat intake, which can help reduce the risk of not just breast cancer but also diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. If you and your loved ones work on being healthy together, you'll be better off in general and you may be fortunate enough to avoid cancer all together.
Sadly, sometimes cancer appears regardless of what actions you take, and that could mean dealing with the pain and discomfort of radiation and other treatments. Look outside your immediate circle; if you have a friend who is fighting cancer herself or if you know people helping their own loved ones in the fight, let them know they have a shoulder to lean on in you. Don't be afraid to act - you can't know how much even the smallest gesture can mean to someone in a fight for her life.
You would never back down in combat, and you live without fear - so don't back down when it comes to the health of the people you love. In self defense you remain vigilant and strike first; you should also apply these principles to dealing with a deadly disease like cancer. Guys, be there for your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, aunt, or friend when she needs you. Ladies, help the men in your life be strong when they need to be. Be smart and make the healthy changes you need to make together, and don't ever let each other feel alone. Don't let the people you love face a killer alone.
By Chris Pizzo
For more information on Chris "Lt. X" Pizzo former soldier, cancer survivor, mercenary, barroom bouncer, educator, and hand-to-hand combat instructor, and his incredible FREE Accelerated Battlefield Combatives close-combat learning system, visit his martial arts supersite
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