By Judy Okolo
Your body rarely sends a WhatsApp message saying, “Something is wrong. Please see your doctor.”
Instead, it communicates through changes: a lump that was not there before, unusual bleeding, persistent bloating, unexplained weight loss, a change in bowel habits, unusual fatigue, a headache that feels different, or a breast that suddenly looks or feels different.
The problem is that many women have become experts at carrying on.
There is work to finish, children to care for, businesses to run, ageing parents to support and endless demands competing for attention. So, we explain things away. It’s stress. It’s my hormones. I’m getting older. It will pass.
Sometimes it does. Sometimes it deserves attention.
Know Your Normal
Body awareness is not about becoming anxious about every ache. It is about becoming familiar enough with your body to recognise when something has changed.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making this a good time to practice that awareness.
Know how your breasts normally look and feel. Pay attention to a new lump or swelling, changes in size or shape, skin dimpling, persistent redness, nipple changes or unusual discharge. Not every breast change means cancer, but an unusual or persistent change deserves proper medical evaluation.
And awareness should not end with your breasts.
Notice changes in your menstrual cycle, especially unusual or post-menopausal bleeding. Pay attention to persistent pelvic or abdominal discomfort, unexplained bloating, changes in bowel or bladder habits, unusual breathlessness, unexplained weight changes or fatigue that does not improve with adequate rest.
The key word is change.
Make Early Detection a Lifestyle
Do not wait until you feel ill before paying attention to your health. Preventive care should sit alongside exercise, nutritious food, sleep and stress management as part of your wellness routine.
Start with these simple actions:
Know your baseline. Become familiar with what is usual for your body.
Keep your screenings current.
Discuss appropriate breast, cervical, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and other health checks with your healthcare professional based on your age and individual risk factors.
Document unusual changes. Note when they started, how often they occur and whether they are worsening.
Stop normalising persistent symptoms. If something feels unusual, persists, worsens or concerns you, seek professional advice rather than repeatedly self-medicating.
Know your family history. Certain conditions can affect your personal risk and screening recommendations.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to act early.
Knowing your body is not fear. It is body literacy.
This October, beyond wearing pink or sharing a Breast Cancer Awareness message, make yourself one promise: I will pay attention.
Because sometimes the change that seems small is the one that matters most.
Until next time, let’s glow intentionally.
Judy Okolo is a Pharmacist and a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach