Suga looks forward to an even better year of keeping you in the know on Sports, Brand Jamaica, GW Art, Charities, Health and Fitness and Jamaica’s continuously flourishing Culinary Industry with my Restaurant Ratings and Reviews.
Keep working to achieve your dreams!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
For all my Ladies out there and Gentlemen (yes, men have lumps too), here are a few tips and information with regards to Preparation for your Mammogram and how you can do your part to facilitate Breast Cancer Awareness and Treatment:
â— Feel all four quadrants of your breasts (all around) in the shower. Picturing the breast as a clock, usually with the nipple as the centre (via someone facing you), is the way used for the identification of areas of concern in the breasts. These areas of concern identified are usually sent for further investigation, i.e a Mammogram/Breast Ultrasound.
E.g. Your Mammogram/Breast referral form may read, ‘mass located at 1 o’clock’.
â— Feel your breasts when laying down, as not all masses are felt while standing.
â— If you have a history of Breast Cancer in your family, the breasts should be checked by a doctor during general examination from as early as teenage years.
â— No matter how young you are, once a mass, discomfort, pain, burning or sticking sensation, swelling and/or discharge from the nipple are observed, seek medical attention immediately.
â— Once a referral is sought to do a Mammogram from your Doctor, if possible, choose a facility that does both Mammograms and Breast Ultrasounds.
*It is possible to have Breast Cancer and not know or be able to schedule a biopsy until weeks or months later. If a particular Breast Cancer cannot be detected by a Mammogram or your Technologist does not recognise an abnormality present and therefore does not raise the attention that a Breast Ultrasound is needed, there is risk of a spread. This is so, because there is sometimes a back up of Mammograms for reporting at Public clinics before a Radiologist can refer a patient for an Ultrasound. It may be too late by this time, costing the patient his/her life or an entire breast or two (single/double mastectomy).
â— If you are referred to do a Breast Mammogram/Ultrasound, I recommend that you do both. Some cancerous (malignant) calcifications cannot be detected by Breast Ultrasound and vice versa.
*Keep in mind that the Mammogram is like a map to show the Radiologist where to focus for any area/s that may need clarification.
â— Starting at age 35 or 40, do your Mammogram annually.
â— Mammograms are low radiation. Remember that if you lay on the beach all day you are also exposed to cumulative radiation from the sun. A thyroid shield is only necessary if you have hormonal/thyroid issues and if you are undergoing/have recently done radiation therapy or chemo.
â— A routine Mammogram will be two (2) views on each breast, therefore four (4) compressions in all.
A routine Mammogram showing two (2) views of each breast.
â— Do not wear powder, lotion/oil or deodorant/flaky deodorant when doing a Mammogram. The flakes or clusters from a deodorant or powder can mimic calcifications/cancer. While, lotions or oils may cause the breast to slide back during imaging, thus losing possible valuable information.
â— Ladies, wear a top and bottom if possible when going to do your Mammogram.
â— Try to do your Mammograms at the same facility each year so a record is kept for comparisons.
â— Everyone does not have the same Mammogram experience. Other than the Technologist or machine used, this may be a result of other factors such as a current or close time period to a menstrual cycle, pain threshold, size of the breasts, thickness of breast tissue, presence of cysts and the overall shape of the breasts and shoulders/body habitus. So if it is painful or ‘unbearable’ for you, do not discourage others.
â— It is not the end of the world if you feel pain and/a mass. It may just be a cyst that can be drained of fluid or removed. Take it one step at a time.
â— If you have a lump that may be malignant (cancerous) and not benign (non-cancerous), ensure that you wait for your biopsy results before removing the lump. You need to confirm that the lump is cancerous, if so, the stage it is at, the possibility of the cancer spreading and the possibility of return if the breast/s are not removed.
â— If the breast/s needs to be removed and reconstructive surgery is suggested or offered by the Doctor at the same time, I advise you wait 6 months to a year to be fully clear of cancer. Unfortunately, cancers sometimes return. If cancer returns, it could return within the skin flap where reconstruction was done and it is highly likely that it would be undetectable.
â— Ensure that you not only have Life Insurance but Health Insurance. Some form of Pro-Care or Criticare should be sought as well if repetitive surgery or radiation treatment/chemotherapy is needed.
â— Spread the Word to Family, Friends and Coworkers! Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives.
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Radiologic Technologist)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Gabrielle Burgess (Suga a.k.a Gabby) on The Sunny Side Up this morning with hosts, Francois St Juste and Paula-Anne Porter Jones
Thanks for Listening to Suga a.k.a Gabby this morning on The Sunny Side Up with Paula-Anne and Francois Suga Bears!
The feedback has been great!
For those of you who are new to Suga Lifestyle, feel free to peruse my hobbies and Career Categories of Health and Fitness, Restaurant Ratings and Reviews, Charities, Sports, Recipes and of course my GW Art Gallery.
Suga is also certified and specialises in helping persons to get and stay fit, lose weight, tone and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Training sessions incorporate Aerobics, Cardiac endurance and Strength and Resistance, topped off by Yoga for increased strength, toning, flexibility and muscle recovery.
If interested in Personal Training/Nutrition sessions please email [email protected].
Suga a.k.a Gabby will be on RJR Fm this morning at 7:45 to 7:58am. Tune in if you can! Hear all about Gabby’s Personality and Careers.
Last Wednesday, Gabby’s Entrepreneurship story was featured on the Vitamin M Box’s Instagram page, @thevitaminmbox.
The Vitamin M Box is about bringing brands owned and produced by people of colour- Melanin to your doorstep in the form of beauty, fashion, books, home and lifestyle brands. So check them out too and the lady behind the box, Kerry Yanique Croft, her story and how you can purchase your monthly prescription on www.thevitaminmbox.com.
Repost via @thevitaminmbox:
Gabrielle Burgess (Suga a.k.a Gabby) from Suga Lifestyle
Get your dose of Vitamin M!
Today’s spotlight hails from Kingston, Jamaica! I tease Gabrielle all the time because I seriously don’t know what she can’t do. Read how she’s managed to escape to her creative side while still working in the hardworking medical field.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a Doctor (Obstetrician) and do Art on the side. I eventually realized that even though the income would be great after the initial struggle of paying off a hefty student loan, I would not have the time on my hands that I would desire to be the Free Spirit that I am. I still entered the field of Health Care as a Radiologic Technologist. It’s a skill and I enjoy the field. But it wasn’t enough for me as a young adult who just started working in 2010, that used to be the President of at least 2 service Clubs, while sitting on the committee of others, also engaging in modern dance and other sporting activities. I felt like I also started life 3 years behind my high school peers who did not do a 2nd Degree and who were fortunate enough to have their parents pay their way through tertiary education for them. While I had not one, but two degrees worth of Student Loans.
My walls were empty when I moved out on my own into my apartment and I said, ‘Why buy paintings when I can paint them myself?’. I officially started my company, GW Art with seasonal Collections, that has grown so much since then and still has some way to go.
I started to help a friend train her Boot camp (aerobics) class in 2011 too. She had to leave the country for a year and I did so well administering and training classes that I eventually branched out on my own. I got certified in both Personal Training and Sports Nutrition. After a timid start to do this on my own, I thrived by seeing positive results in my clients and being a part of and changing person’s lives. I am now confident and in demand in the Fitness Industry in Jamaica.
I currently find ways to express my 3 fields along with Hobbies, which include Restaurant Reviews, Sports and more on my Website, www.sugalifestyle.com. This continuously inspires me and makes me feel like I can branch out even more! #blackentrepreneurship #blackexcellence
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
World Radiography Day is a celebration on November 8th each year, marking the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays by German mechanical engineer, William Röntgen in 1895.
Radiology Departments worldwide usually celebrate World Radiography Week around this time. As a Radiologic Technologist, I am a few days late but I am promoting Radiography as a career, showing its crucial importance and contribution to modern health care and of course, increasing public awareness of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy.
Before creating the website, Suga Lifestyle, I used to write articles on www.interestingarticles.com. I would love if you would take the time to read my article, ‘World Radiography Week’ that was published on November 7, 2012. It has a 5-star rating and almost 2000 views.
My article highlights how Radiography Departments celebrate World Radiography Week, the challenges faced and psychology behind doing Mammograms for patients and of course, my appreciation and love for working in the field of Radiography.
Read my article, ‘World Radiography Week’ by clicking on the link below:
Now for all my Ladies out there and Gentlemen (yes, men have lumps too), here are a few tips and information with regards to Preparation for your Mammogram and how you can do your part to facilitate Breast Cancer Awareness and Treatment:
â— Feel all four quadrants of your breasts (all around) in the shower. Picturing the breast as a clock, usually with the nipple as the centre (via someone facing you), is the way used for the identification of areas of concern in the breasts. These areas of concern identified are usually sent for further investigation, i.e a Mammogram/Breast Ultrasound.
E.g. Your Mammogram/Breast referral form may read, ‘mass located at 1 o’clock’.
â— Feel your breasts when laying down, as not all masses are felt while standing.
â— If you have a history of Breast Cancer in your family, the breasts should be checked by a doctor during general examination from as early as teenage years.
â— No matter how young you are, once a mass, discomfort, pain, burning or sticking sensation, swelling and/or discharge from the nipple are observed, seek medical attention immediately.
â— Once a referral is sought to do a Mammogram from your Doctor, if possible, choose a facility that does both Mammograms and Breast Ultrasounds.
*It is possible to have Breast Cancer and not know or be able to schedule a biopsy until weeks or months later. If a particular Breast Cancer cannot be detected by a Mammogram or your Technologist does not recognise an abnormality present and therefore does not raise the attention that a Breast Ultrasound is needed, there is risk of a spread. This is so, because there is sometimes a back up of Mammograms for reporting at Public clinics before a Radiologist can refer a patient for an Ultrasound. It may be too late by this time, costing the patient his/her life or an entire breast or two (single/double mastectomy).
â— If you are referred to do a Breast Mammogram/Ultrasound, I recommend that you do both. Some cancerous (malignant) calcifications cannot be detected by Breast Ultrasound and vice versa.
*Keep in mind that the Mammogram is like a map to show the Radiologist where to focus for any area/s that may need clarification.
â— Starting at age 35 or 40, do your Mammogram annually.
â— Mammograms are low radiation. Remember that if you lay on the beach all day you are also exposed to cumulative radiation from the sun. So a thyroid shield is only necessary if you have hormonal/thyroid issues and if you are undergoing/have recently done radiation therapy or chemo.
â— A routine Mammogram will be two (2) views on each breast, therefore four (4) compressions in all.
A routine Mammogram showing two (2) views of each breast.
â— Do not wear powder, lotion/oil or deodorant/flaky deodorant when doing a Mammogram. The flakes or clusters from a deodorant or powder can mimic calcifications/cancer. While, lotions or oils may cause the breast to slide back during imaging, thus losing possible valuable information.
â— Ladies, wear a top and bottom if possible when going to do your Mammogram.
â— Try to do your Mammograms at the same facility each year so a record is kept for comparisons.
â— Everyone does not have the same Mammogram experience. Other than the Technologist or machine used, this may be a result of other factors such as a current or close time period to a menstrual cycle, pain threshold, size of the breasts, thickness of breast tissue, presence of cysts and the overall shape of the breasts and shoulders/body habitus. So if it is painful or ‘unbearable’ for you, do not discourage others.
â— It is not the end of the world if you feel pain and/a mass. It may just be a cyst that can be drained of fluid or removed. Take it one step at a time.
â— If you have a lump that may be malignant (cancerous) and not benign (non-cancerous), ensure that you wait for your biopsy results before removing the lump. You need to confirm that the lump is cancerous, if so, the stage it is at, the possibility of the cancer spreading and the possibility of return if the breast/s are not removed.
â— Ensure that you not only have Life Insurance but Health Insurance. Some form of Pro-Care or Criticare should be sought as well if repetitive surgery or radiation treatment/chemotherapy is needed.
â— Spread the Word to Family, Friends and Coworkers! Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives.
***Suga Bears, please note that it is also Lupus Awareness month. Stay tuned for tips for my Lupus warriors***
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
