The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. Innovations in research, surgical options and clinical trials give women many more options. With early detection, a woman’s survival rate goes up. That’s why breast self exams are an important way for women to give their “girls” a fighting chance, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2019.
Since the adoption of wearing a pink ribbon by breast cancer survivors running in the 1990 New York marathon and the subsequent formation of a charity which aims to give 90% of the money it raises to the support of scientific research and public awareness of the disease, millions of dollars have ben donated.
The New York based charity Pink Ribbon Inc. promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month where like-minded, affiliated international groups participate in fund raising using the pink ribbon motif. The sponsors are encouraged to use the pink theme and it’s not unusual to see municipal fountains gushing with suitably coloured displays.
In the UK, a recent campaign saw media presenter and celebrity Chris Evans offering a pink Rolls-Royce Ghost for hire by the day anywhere in the country, complete with chauffeur and champagne, with the entire hire fee of over £5,000 being donated to the charity.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month timeline
- 1932
Improvement in mastectomy surgeries
A new procedure is found to be more effective and not as disfiguring as past ones.
- 1985
Lumpectomy vs. mastectomy
Researchers discover that early-stage breast cancer patients had comparable survival rates whether treated with a lumpectomy and radiation — or a mastectomy.
- 1998
Tamoxifen—a breakthrough cancer drug
Tamoxifen cuts the breast cancer risk for some women by as much as half.
- 2006
Drug reduced risk for post-menopausal women
The drug, Raloxifene, minimizes the risk of developing breast cancer in women who have already passed through menopause.
- June 2018
Praise for immunotherapy
Immunotherapy completely regresses breast cancer in a patient who had a form of the disease resistant to other kinds of treatment.
Five Reasons Why October Is The Pinkest Month
Breast cancer doesn't discriminate
Although breast cancer is more prevalent among American white women, African-American women tend to die from the disease more often.
Breast cancer can baffle scientists
Scientists don't really understand why the left breast seems to develop cancer more often than the right breast.
Breast cancer surgery was a trailblazer
The very first operation to use anesthesia to deaden pain was a breast cancer surgery.
Men get it too
Overall, only one percent of American males are diagnosed with breast cancer, but African-American men just like women in their community, are more prone to die from the disease.
Breast cancer — the nuns' disease
At one time, breast cancer was called "the nuns' disease" because it seemed to afflict more nuns than women in the general population.
How to Observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Share a story
Cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and medical professionals have a chance to share their perspectives on how cancer impacts their lives. Do an online search of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you'll discover various organizations that have links to social media blogs, video platforms and more. Upload your story and feel proud that you are one more voice of victory against this disease.
Think pink
Pink is the color du jour for October's campaign. Some people change their website's background colors to pink for the month. Others rummage through their closets and pull out pink everything — sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, entire outfits — even wigs! Many workplaces hold Pink Days to encourage coworkers to get involved in the fight against breast cancer.
Raise some money
October is the primary fundraising month for Breast Cancer Awareness and whatever you give is appreciated. Hold a raffle, coordinate a talent show or simply write a check. It all helps to fund life-saving cancer research. Large corporations use October to make mega-sized donations. On the smaller scale, fill up a dozen pink piggy banks and make your donation.
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Important
It promotes self-care
Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds women (and men ) that monthly breast cancer exams should be a regular part of one's self care. If you have never performed a self-exam, ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to guide you through. Look for changes within and surrounding your breast including dimpling, redness, scaliness or nipple discharge. Granted, some breasts are a little more "lumpy" than others but changes in size or in the tissue should send up a red alert to make an appointment to see your physician.
It focuses on treatment
There are several different types of breast cancer. Treatment options depend on various patient factors: the stage and specific type of cancer, age and overall health at the time of diagnosis, and the patient's personal and family history. After the diagnosis, a patient should consult with family to choose a physician who can go over treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation,
It shouts the good news
The National Cancer Institute recently declared that the U.S. cancer rate fell for diagnosed women between 2006-2015. Also, the FDA approved an at-home genetic testing kit for women to assess whether they carry any of the three gene mutations associated with breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery, another positive option, is a surgical "two-fer" allowing the removal of cancerous breast tissue immediately followed by the re-sculpting of the breast's remaining tissue, restoring symmetry and a more natural appearance.
Also on Tue Oct 1, 2024...
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