Painting the Town Pink!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As October comes to a close it is important to be aware of the facts about breast cancer. You can lower your chances of breast cancer by knowing more about this disease.
Here are some breast cancer facts:
-One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point.
-Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
-Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women after heart disease.
-Each year over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 40,000 will die.
-An estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die each year.
This is the bad news. Now for the good news!
-Breast cancer death rates have been declining since 1990.
-The decline in breast cancer deaths has been attributed to better screening and education.
-A monthly breast self-exam is one of the best ways to beat breast cancer.
-If breast cancer is detected before it reaches Stage 3, there is a 93 percent chance of survival.
-If breast cancer is detected before it reaches Stage 4, there is a 72 percent chance of survival. This means that all but the most advanced cases of breast cancer have nearly a three in four chance of survival.
-A healthy diet and good exercise are shown to prevent many types of cancer, including breast cancer.
-New advances in treatment mean that a breast cancer diagnosis does not mean an automatic mastectomy, and chemotherapy drugs do not automatically mean hair loss and sickness.
You can show your support for breast cancer awareness in October (or any months) by wearing a pink breast cancer ribbon. Remember to support breast cancer research and to perform monthly breast self-exams in order to best protect yourself against breast cancer. While opinions are divided on mammography for young women without a family history of breast cancer, older women should have a mammogram as often as recommended by their doctors.
We can beat breast cancer. Knowledge and a positive attitude are the best ways to fight this disease and give support to others who may be suffering!
In my upcoming book Beyond Believing breast cancer is a large part of the story. Learn more about the upcoming launch by clicking here!
