National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For more than twenty years, October has been National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Its purpose is to educate women about early cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatments for breast cancer.  This month is used to stress the importance of early detection by having regular mammograms after the age of 40, and self-exams monthly.  If you know you are at high risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin mammogram screening even earlier than 40 years old.

Who are more at risk?  If you had a baby but did not breast-fed the baby, or if you have a close family member who has or has had breast cancer, or if you started your periods earlier than age twelve, you are at risk.  Other risks include starting menopause after the age of 50 and having dense breast tissue. 

Survival rates for breast cancer go up if the disease is detected early.  Since mammography screenings became widely used, there has been a significant improvement in survival rates for breast cancer patients. 

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a tool for educating and stressing the importance of taking control of your own breast health.  Taking control of your breast health may mean making sure you are scheduling a mammogram each year, and practicing monthly self-breast exams. 

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or are a survivor, it is still important to continue with any treatment that may have been prescribed for you.  Regular screening is still important for those who have concluded treatment, or are still having treatments for breast cancer.  Keeping your treatment schedule and regular screenings can make a big impact on your survival.

By visiting the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month web site at http://www.nbcam.com you will be able to pick up media materials and other information about clinical trials and the newest research.  You will find the newest articles about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and links to many good breast cancer Web sites.  Here you will find the information on how to start your own public awareness campaign, and promote public awareness of breast cancer in your community. 

The Board of Sponsors for the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has materials that will help your organization to build public awareness in your community.  You can take part in this special month by buying pink ribbon products and wearing them proudly telling the world, you are a supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you or someone in your family has been touched by breast cancer, you will want to take part in this month set aside for breast cancer awareness.  With advances in detection, diagnosis, and treatment growing steadily in the last few years, there is still a need to educate women on how to take control of their own breast health. Wear your pink ribbon, or your gel bracelet to show your support for the continuing research for breast cancer.  You will never know whose life you may have saved.  Maybe your sister’s, best friend’s, or your own life!