Why Are Gynecological Cancers Taboo???

I am not one to complain or even go off on a tangent about my beliefs or thoughts. I never argue with anyone, saying their thoughts are wrong just because they are different from mine. However, something has come along that has upset me. I cannot be quiet anymore. As being quiet is why women die everyday to a disease they know nothing about. 

We women all have vaginas, used as part of our reproductive system. These beautiful organs are what give us our offspring. We carry our beautiful children, who we cherish and love with all our heart and soul, in our womb. We endure pain to deliver our children. We even enjoy sexual acts with our sex organs, our vaginas! They are a part of our human anatomy. Then we have our breast. Here our breasts also serve a purpose. To feed our young. Here's the catch. Both parts of our anatomy, our female anatomy can get cancer. 

Yes, I said it. They BOTH can develop cancer! Education is key to finding breast cancer early. Do your monthly self-mammograms in the shower. Check for lumps. This is very important and life saving. I do it every month and so should YOU! I see pink everywhere, even outside the months of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is NOT taboo to speak about your breasts. It's encouraged in fact to tell others, educate them, and you and your loved ones could live a long happy life. 

No one tells you that most of sexually active MEN and WOMEN will be effected with HPV. There is NO cure for HPV, nor is there a screening test for HPV for men. Certain strands of HPV cause CERVICAL CANCER. And one of the most commonly misunderstood thing, yes you CAN die from cervical cancer. Signs of cervical cancer often do not show up until the cancer has progressed into later stages. 

Ovarian cancer is also a silent killer, often showing no signs until ovarian cancer is in a late stage. Endometrial cancer is the same way. There are NO tests to screen for these cancers.  Ladies these are silent killers. Yet, how often do you see teal? How often do you see the signs and symptoms urging you to go to the doctor if they persist for more than 2 weeks? How often do you hear how important it is that you see your gynecologist once a year and have a Pap smear? Do women really understand the importance? I will answer this question for you. NO they do not. 

Jaymie Jamison was one of these women, like many others we have met along this journey who did not understand the importance. Why didn't she? No one was there to educate these women. The Jaymie Jamison Foundation for Hope is here to educate you, your loved ones, anyone and everyone we meet so Another family will not lose someone like the Jamison's did. And we try hard. 

We have written several articles for a local newspaper to have the article not published, or not published to it's full extend. They have weeded out the educational information that is so important for others to know. This information could possible save someone's life and yet the newspaper withholds the information. Why??? HPV and vagina are taboo. Let's stop making this taboo! Every woman has a vagina and they ALL need to know what the risks are, what are the signs and symptoms just like we know about breast cancer. Who cares if it offends someone? If it saves someone's life that they love how can they be offended? It is time to educate people on gynecological cancers. 

I am challenging you to tell everyone you know about the importance of yearly check-ups. Ask people "have you had your pap this year?" If no, urge them to schedule an appointment. Share with them Jaymie's story. Read our January blogs and share one of their stories! I know Jaymie, Natalie, Meganne, Katrina, Sarah and many other women would give anything to go to the doctor sooner. It could have saved their lives. Now their mothers, husbands, children, friends and family are left behind grieving and fighting to save others. Please join us in making a stand to spread awareness for gynecological cancers. I will keep sending articles to the paper. I will NOT take no for an answer.