It started with my mother about a decade ago.

Last year, one of my sisters joined the club.

Two months ago, my aunt became a member.

They are ladies with breast cancer. My mom and sister are survivors. My aunt will be, too.

We don’t have the breast cancer gene in our family. Clearly, the absence of it doesn’t make you safer. We don’t have high-risk factors, but that was no protection.

The reason my family survived was because their cancer was caught early. I urge all of you to give yourself a monthly breast exam after your next period ends. And the next, and the next. And if you don’t have a period then find a point and stick to it.

I pray no one else gets breast cancer, but if you do may the odds be in your favor.

Until next time.