Bright Pink is a national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. The organization's mission is to save women's lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age.
We've all had that appointment. You know, the visit to your lady-doctor that ends up leaving you with more questions than answers. I've definitely been there, and I get it.
Preparing yourself to have a smarter well-woman exam is actually pretty simple. And don't worry; Bright Pink has got your back. First things first, head over to AssessYourRisk.org and get a clear picture of your personal risk level.
Once you know your personal risk, check out this list of questions to ask your doctor. Going into your appointment with questions prepared will help make sure you and your health provider can come up with a cancer risk management plan that's personalized for your needs. I love this handy PDF that you can print and pop in your purse so you don't forget your questions in the moment.
- What are the risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer? How do these factors affect me now and in the future? (This is a great moment to share the risk assessment you received at AssessYourRisk.org)
- What's our plan? What prevention and screening plan do you recommend for me based on my personal risk?
- What lifestyle changes could I make to reduce my risk for developing breast or ovarian cancer?
- Should I see any specialists to manage my risk, like a genetic counselor? If so, do you have any recommendations?
- What breast and ovarian cancer symptoms should I be on the lookout for between visits?
You might have noticed that one of those questions mentioned genetic counseling. For the low-down on genetic mutations that can increase your risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer (like BRCA1 and BRCA2), and to find out if genetic counseling and testing is something you should consider, visit ExploreYourGenetics.org.
Now that you're basically an expert on all things breast and ovarian health, let's make a pact. Bright Pink will keep coming up with the tools and programs you need to educate yourself on breast and ovarian cancer and how to prevent it, and you'll make sure you're prepared to get the care you deserve. We want you to have everything you need to be a proactive advocate for your own health. That way, you'll never leave your well-woman exam feeling confused again.