If you didnt already know (or if you have been living under a rock!) --The entire month of October is dedicated towards the awareness of Breast Cancer. Ribbons have been used to express solidarity on the part of the wearer with the identified cause since the early to late 20th Century *wikipedia*. Across the globe Pink Ribbons (and the colour pink) are used to express support for women (and men) who are diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Show your support donate/volunteer or wear a pink ribbon for the month of October!
Things to know:
Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.
One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.The first sign of breast cancer usually shows up on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present.
Approximately 1400 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2000 and 400 of those men will die.
About 1.2 million cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
About 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of breast cancer.
You are never too young to develop breast cancer! Breast Self-Exam should begin by the age of twenty.
Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.
My personal mission;
"Spreading the word and this year; raising funds for women who cannot afford to pay for a mammogram."
Some people wonder why I'm a die-hard 'pink ribbon wearer'. Its a cause that has been close to my heart for many years now. It has been 11 years since my mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer. It changed her life and has affected the many people around her forever. She now volunteers for an organisation called Reach to Recovery and the work I have seen the group do is nothing short of a miracle!
When my mum was diagnosed with cancer, she wouldnt take s*it from anyone. She ate what she wanted, worked, travelled and wouldnt put up with negativity. She ignored all the 'so called' restrictions (dos and donts and what NOT to eat whilst battling cancer.) She was however prepped to losing all her hair! (I actually recall a very bizarre wig shopping trip with her!)
Guess what?
By being ultra positive during those times (although still suffering and in pain!):
- she survived. Doctors arent always right! (shes still with us till today!)
- she didnt lose her hair (that wig is collecting dust at the back of her closet)
- she has spent 11 years helping cancer patients, running campaigns, travelling the world for Breast cancer conferences.
- shes still my mum and shes still with me in all those important 'growing up moments'. When she was diagnosed i remember giving myself a timeline; 5 years to graduate, get a job, get married and have a kid! Its been 11 years i havent done all the things on that list but I'm doing it at my own pace, because she's still with me :)
Dont take life for granted.
Get yourself checked, nag your sister, your mum, your wife, your girlfriend, your fiancee, your best friend!
Remember girlies, men can be diagnosed with breast cancer too.
Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown
