October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and support those affected by the disease. For many, healing goes beyond medical treatment, it's also about finding peace, strength, and comfort. Spending time in nature can provide all of these. Outdoor enthusiasts Sonia Lence, Logan Reavis, Aishah Muhammad, and Carly Padrta share how the outdoors has impacted their lives and supported their journeys in raising breast cancer awareness.
Sonia Lence found her passion for the outdoors through snowboarding, transforming her city lifestyle. “Being outdoors helps me reconnect with myself,” she says. Sonia hasn’t faced breast cancer personally but has seen its impact on friends, urging the importance of self-exams and regular checkups.
For Logan Reavis, nature is a place of mental healing. Her best friend’s mother passed away from breast cancer, bringing the disease close to home. She advocates for annual exams and genetic testing, especially for those with family history, stressing that "early action saves lives."
Aishah Muhammad found peace and clarity in hiking and camping. When her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, she successfully overcame it through early radiation treatment. Aishah emphasizes nature’s role in mental health: “It helps regulate stress and mood.” She encourages regular self-exams and screenings as part of self-care.
Growing up outdoors, Carly Padrta finds nature an escape for reflection. Her mother’s 2019 diagnosis, caught early through self-exams, was a reminder that breast cancer can happen to anyone. Carly’s message is clear: stay aware, prioritize health, and let the outdoors provide a place for healing.
These women remind us that while breast cancer can be unexpected, staying informed and proactive is vital. Nature offers an escape, a place for reflection, and a source of strength. Whether through a quiet walk, a mountain hike, or simply sitting in a park, spending time outside can improve emotional well-being and help those affected by breast cancer find a sense of peace.
This October, let’s not only spread awareness but also support each other through self-care, regular health checks, and time spent outdoors. Nature can be a powerful ally—let it inspire health, hope, and healing for all.
