OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign that started in the mid-1980s to promote mammography. The pink ribbon, introduced by Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982, symbolizes breast cancer. This month is a time to honor those who have been treated for breast cancer or who are living with metastatic breast cancer, which occurs when the cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S., with a woman being diagnosed every two minutes.

CANCER AND MY FAMILY

I am a cancer survivor. Seventeen years ago, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Several members of my family can also call themselves survivors, including a maternal aunt, mother, and sister. The greatest hit to my family was about 2 years ago when my youngest daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I am happy to say that she is hanging in there and is being treated with oral chemo and hormone suppressants. I’ve learned a lot over the past two years about breast cancer, particularly stage four or metastatic breast cancer. Fortunately, there have been many advances in the treatment of stage four breast cancer. According to my daughter’s doctor, she will be on medication for the rest of her life. The goal of treatment is to control the disease. So far, she has been responding well to her current regimen of medicines, but if she stops responding, they will put her on a different regimen.

Breast Cancer Statistics

Stage One breast cancer is no longer a death sentence. Breast cancer death rates have declined steadily since 1989, possibly due to increased awareness and screening, as well as better treatments available to women. However, according to the American Cancer Society, this decline has slowed slightly in recent years. It's important for every woman to be aware of what breast cancer is and understand the risks of getting the disease. Women should also know how to detect early signs and symptoms of the disease.

Here are just a few statistics from BreastCancer.org:

About 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.
Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among American women.
Breast cancer is more common in African-American women under 45 than white women.
A woman's risk for breast cancer doubles if she has a mother, sister, or daughter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

So how do you lower your risk of breast cancer?

Eat a healthy diet.
Don't smoke.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Do regular self-exams.
Have regular mammograms.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. has a wide selection of free resources for you if you want to know more about breast cancer, including breast cancer basics, signs and symptoms, early detection, healthy living, and support (both emotional and financial).

Because of organizations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen, women are more informed about the warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Treatments continue to improve. Stage IV cancer, though incurable, can often be treated. Advances in research and medical technology mean more women are living longer by managing it as a chronic illness, focusing on quality of life.

TO RAISE AWARENESS, I AM OFFERING A FREE PRINTABLE.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be an emotional time for many women. Learn all you can to fight this dreadful disease. Know your risk factors, get screened, make healthy lifestyle choices and take action.

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