Health

Healthy boobs and a happy mind

Many women have a multi-tasking ‘I’m fine’, ‘I can handle it no matter what’ attitude. But sometimes, women forget to pay attention to how we feel, forget about ourselves and our bodies.

Local yoga, pilates and barre studio, Evolvere, recently hosted a ‘Healthy Boobs & a Happy Mind’ evening. It’s a touchy subject, but it’s also one that Evolvere founder Tatiana Klesikova, feels passionate about. How much time do we spend on our hair each day? Or how much time do we spend choosing an outfit for the day? Probably more time than we spend on checking our breasts each week. The difference is, spending those few minutes checking in on our breasts could save your life. Tatiana says that she can see the enormity of daily stresses and what impact they can have on girls, mothers and women. “My mission is to create a safe space, where we can all sweat, stretch, relax and replenish. Where we can learn how to look after ourselves - sometimes all over again - getting stronger, more confident and more comfortable in our bodies.” Breast physician Jenny O’Sullivan spoke on the night and openly talked about the comfortable and the uncomfortable. Jenny busted myths of underwire bras (wear whatever holds your girls up with a properly fitted bra!) and talked about how our hormones play a vital part in the changes we may experience every month. Breasts are lumpy, and normal hormonal changes can lead to more lumpiness. Jenny also discussed common benign breast changes like cysts and fibroadenomas, together with the most common presenting symptoms of breast cancer such as a new lump or thickening, nipple discharge, skin or nipple changes. Most importantly, Jenny explained that every breast is different, and that it is important to be familiar with our own, so we can recognise and investigate changes that don’t themselves.

Lifestyle changes are also a key contributor to how your breasts change develop or worry you. Strategies to look at when wanting to reduce your risk of breast cancer include maintaining a healthy weight; breastfeeding before the age of 35; reducing alcohol intake; and ideally exercising three or more hours a week.

In essence, Jenny’s take-home message was to know your breasts. Any changes? Ask your GP or Breast physician. And finally, regular exercise is not only good for those skinny jeans, but they’re also good for your breasts! Before or after work, in your lunchbreak or on the weekend; prioritise you! Evolvere partnered with local women’s refuge, Delvena, for this event and raised money for a youth worker to mind children while a mother fights for her rights in court. If you would like to support Delvena, visit www. womensrefuge.org.au to make a vital contribution for your fellow sisters. 

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