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October - National Breast Cancer Month
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Posted by Cristina Grace on September 9, 2009 at 5:07 PM
As many of us know October is National Breast Cancer Month. It's a month to celebrate those around us who have made it through the battle, a month to mourn those who did not survive, a month to inform ourselves about the risks and dangers and how to prevent breast cancer from entering our lives, and a month to support those around us going through this treachorous battle.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (12%). In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.(American Cancer Society)
That's scary. As a woman, it's important for us to get regularly checked for breast cancer as well as other life-threatening diseases like cervical cancer. It can be scary to go to the doctor and wait for results, but it's also scarier to not know of something you could have prevented.
My mother found out she had invasive breast cancer on Good Friday of 2000. I know a lot of us can relate - we have relatives that have gone through it and/or are battling it right now. I am blessed to say that my mom made it through, but that also give me a certain awareness that I need to be checked as well. My mother realized the importance of having the support and love of friends and family and decided to take a stand for those going through breast cancer. She wrote a memoir as well as just started a site for those looking to show their love (Amazos Society).
If you know someone going through breast cancer, your support and encouragement is vital to their recovery. Studies show that women who have a strong emotional support system have a much better chance of full recovery and long term survival from breast cancer than those who do not. If you'd like to send your loved one or close friend a beautiful message of strength and support, please visit http://www.theamazossociety.com
No matter what you do this month - make sure you are aware of the implications and effects of breast cancer and support those around you battling it. I'll be doing Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in honor of my mother, and would encourage you all to take some sort of action this month as well.
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