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October: The Month with the Power of Pink

This month you’ll be seeing a lot of pink. That’s because October has been deemed the official Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a little pink ribbon has come to represent the millions who battle the disease every year. Organizations like the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation strive to educate us about the facts of breast cancer and early detection. It’s mind boggling to think that every 3 minutes, a woman in the United States will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and even more frightening to know that every 13 minutes a woman will die from breast cancer. Although much has been done to spread the word about early detection, every year the number of women with breast cancer grows. In 1960, it was estimated that 1 out of 14 women would develop the disease. Today, 1 out of 9 women will be diagnosed.

Are You At Risk?

One of the risk factors for developing breast cancer is age. As you grow older, your chance of developing breast cancer increases. If you have a family history of breast cancer, have never given birth, had your first child after age 30, or have received treatment with radiation therapy for Hodgkin’s disease, you are at higher risk to develop breast cancer. However, over 70 percent of cases occur in women with NO identifiable risk factors.

What Should you Do?

Breast cancer can be detected through mammography and annual self and professional breast examinations. It is now even possible to determine genetically if you might be at higher risk for developing breast cancer. Although this is new and exciting news, only 5-10 % of breast cancer cases are thought to be caused by genetic mutation. Experts still agree that mammography and self exam are the best ways to detect breast cancer.

How Can you Help?

This is the perfect month to get involved in raising breast cancer awareness. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the largest organization in the United States dedicated to breast cancer research, has spent the last 20 years determined to eliminate breast cancer. Throughout October, you will hear about things like the Race for the Cure and National Denim Day, and see television advertisements from celebrities asking you to donate your time or your money to support the fight against breast cancer. Even if you only begin regular self breast exams or go for that mammogram you’ve been putting off, you will be making a difference.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
-Mahatma Gandhi