Show you care, be aware

 I was dreading what I was convinced were invasive procedures – ultra sounds, bone densities, breast squashing – never mind what the results might be. But I was wrong – and pleasantly surprised. The Well Woman clinic occupies a pretty garden filled with feathery white flowers, the staff are welcoming, reception is stocked with up-to-date magazines and the doctors are both sympathetic and efficient. Coupled with state of the art machines and the latest technology, there is a pervasive feeling of comfort and nurturing.
I had to go back several times to check out a worrying lump but I felt cosseted by concerned staff and emerged from the experience both relieved and virtuous that finally these checks had been done. 
In similar spirit of taking control of my body and my health I entered Curves – a women’s only gym. No men, no mirrors. What a great idea. Curves is a franchise started off in the USA. Curves gyms have spread across the world  and there are now two outlets in Harare – Sam Levy’s Village and Roland Square in Milton Park. Based on a thirty minute workout which combines resistance training on machines (working all the muscle groups in the body) with aerobic interludes, the gym offers a complete workout. Weight management, tips on healthy eating, regular weigh and measure sessions, encouragement and realistic goals make it popular with women across the board.
The gym is bright and airy, decorated with hearts in all shapes and sizes – wooden, metal, woven – and motivational messages encouraging women to look after each other and our health. Enthusiastic trainers, many of whom have first hand experience of greatly improved health, weight loss and fitness through Curves workouts, offer encouragement and incentive. I like it – and after a couple of months am feeling so much fitter.
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Curves had a competition to decorate a bra to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. The results were amazing flights of imagination.  The winning bra was completely covered with a garden of flowers     and butterflies. Another had been meticulously stuck with tiny shells. One looked      like a swan. Others took the breast cancer message more seriously decorating with dozens of pink ribbons secured with safety pins.
One wall in the gym was for loving messages to friends and family – women who are cancer survivors, and sadly those who have passed on. But it was a space for love and remembrance.
As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware, to examine their breasts themselves as well as regular check ups for earlier detection.
Moving into November it’s the men’s turn – The Movember movement (coming from moustache and November) started in Australia and aims ‘to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.’ Men are encouraged to grow moustaches during ‘Movember’ to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.  Check out Movember.com for how to participate.
Encouraging to know that the support is there for us all to become more aware and to take care of our health.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com