Time flying by seems to be the one thing we all have in common. Days, weeks, and months start to blend together as we burn the candle at both ends with work, social lives and family. We often get consumed by today's high paced society and all the expectations of us, forgetting to take the time to de-stress and that our health can suffer when we don't. This morning we were reminded why we can’t put our health on the back burner when Taylor Swift announced that her Mother was diagnosed with cancer, urging her fans to ask their parents to take time our of their busy schedules to get checked for cancer. No matter what our schedule or obligations, our first obligation is too to keep ourselves healthy and happy for not only us, but for our family as well.

“Our hearts go out to Taylor and her mom, we know how much a cancer diagnosis impacts the entire family and we are sending all of our love and positive Vibes during this difficult time.” Shaney Jo Darden, founder of The Keep A Breast Foundation.

Please encourage your loved ones to do a monthly self-check, as well as you, because you are never ever, ever too young for cancer. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and want to help them on their journey, here are some things that can help you communicate in a supportive way and what not to say.

Originally posted on Taylor's Tumblr:

Hey guys,

I’m writing to you with an update I wish I wasn’t giving you, but it’s important and I’m used to sharing important events in my life with you. Usually when things happen to me, I process them and then write music about how I feel, and you hear it much later. This is something my family and I thought you should know about now.

For Christmas this year, I asked my mom that one of her gifts to me be her going to the doctor to get screened for any health issues, just to ease some worries of mine. She agreed, and went in to get checked. There were no red flags and she felt perfectly fine, but she did it just to get me and my brother off her case about it.

The results came in, and I’m saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I’d like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know.

She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they’ve got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle… Or peace of mind in knowing that they’re healthy and there’s nothing to worry about. She wanted you to know why she may not be at as many shows this tour. She’s got an important battle to fight.

Thank you for caring about my family so much that she would want me to share this information with you. 
I hope and pray that you never get news like this.

Love you.
 

Taylor