Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Sadly, each year over 210,000 women and 1,700 men learn that they have breast cancer. To put that figure in perspective, a shocking 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in US women. So what can you and I do?
1.) Know Your Risks, Reduce Your Risks
Risk Factors can include age, personal history of the disease, family history, certain breast changes, gene changes, reproductive and menstrual history, race, weight, physical activity level and alcohol consumption to name a few. Read up on your risk factors and talk to your doctor about reducing them.
2.) Regular Breast Self Exams, Clinical Breast Exams and Mammography
Early detection is key here. Regular screenings and mammograms can help detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. Schedule regular clinical exams and perform monthly breast self exams.
This is important…here is your reminder… do your self breast exam today.
Helpful how to’s:
BreastCancer.org walks you through the five steps of a breast self exam.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists self breast exam guide.
The Breast Self Examination (BSE) Website will show you how to examine your breasts step by step with photographs, audio (sound) and the printed word.
3.) Promote Awareness
October has gone pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is responsible for educating both men and women on the detection, treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Just look around, everywhere you look this month people are displaying their pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Large retailers have stocked their shelves with “pink ribbon” items to support breast cancer research. Sports Illustrated showed their support by donning pink lettering on the cover of their latest issue. The NFL’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign got underway a few weeks ago with several teams sporting pink sweatband, towels, socks and shoes. Now, LifeWithCake would like to “display our pink” too.
Our pink flag is flying high with the creation of the Perfectly Pink Pom Cupcake for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Cupcake for Breast Cancer Awareness
We have also made a donation on behalf of LifeWithCake to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation uses 91.5% of your donation towards supporting the cause. You too, can show your support.
Here are some of the top organizations that support breast cancer research, provide mammograms and care for needy women, and raise awareness through educational efforts.
- Cancer Research Foundation
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer
- National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.
- Breast Cancer Network of Strength
- Susan G. Komen Foundation
Show your pink today, too.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Now, after Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James’ cancer scare, I believe that there will be increasing awareness on all forms of cancer.