More than 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. We all probably know someone who has been affected by the disease, whether it be a relative, friend, neighbor or co-worker. A lot of progress has been made over the past few decades to treat breast cancer, but is remains a serious issue for many families throughout our state and country.
October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” It is a time to raise awareness about the issue, as well as recognize the ongoing fight against a disease that affects the lives of 1 in 8 women. Although doctors recommend regular breast cancer screenings regardless of the time of year, October is at least a great reminder to do so.
I have seen the toll that breast cancer can have on a person. Seeing my mother fight, and survive, breast cancer showed me that the disease can be overcome. I continually count my blessings, and I am grateful that my mother is a survivor.
That is why I believe very strongly in having early screenings and enhanced awareness. Being the most common cancer among women, putting off mammograms or ignoring possible warning signs is not a risk worth taking. Age is a major contributing factor in developing breast cancer, it can affect women of any age.
This October, we will be seeing a lot of pink—the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Those pink ribbons remind us of the need for further research, as well as the thousands of women who have lost their lives because of it. But the increasing number of breast cancer survivors is promising. In 2011, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
That statistic would have been unthinkable just 20 years ago. While medical advancements play a big role in this, the growing understanding for the need for regular screenings and checkups is also to credit. Let’s hope and pray that these numbers continue to improve.
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