October may be regarded as the month of jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin spice lattes, and riveting Halloween costumes but it is also the month of Breast Cancer Awareness. Breast cancer affects millions of people throughout America, whether that be directly or indirectly, and October is a time to give respect to those who have been diagnosed while celebrating their resilience and strength. Here are some facts that you might never have known about Breast Cancer.
The Hard facts
Breast cancer is a disease where malignant or cancerous cells form in the breast tissue. There are several different stages and types that can affect men and women.Â
There are Over 4 million Survivors in the US.
1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their life.Â
The average age is 62 years old but about 9% of new cases in the U.S. are under 45 years old.
The 5-year combined survival rate in the U.S. for all types and stages of breast cancer is 91%.
Behind lung cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in American women.
The lifetime risk of a U.S. man developing breast cancer is about 1 in 726.
The famous facts
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer and feel like you are alone, Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate, Angelina Jolie, Hoda Kotb, and Robin Roberts are some notable celebrities that know your journey. Hoda Kotb, NBC correspondent and Today co-host, was diagnosed at age 43. She states, “Cancer survivors are blessed with two lives. There is your life before cancer, and your life after. I am here to tell you your second life is going to be so much better than the first.”
“Cancer survivors are blessed with two lives. There is your life before cancer, and your life after. I am here to tell you your second life is going to be so much better than the first.”
Hoda Kotb
You might be wondering why October? How did this become National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; look no further than Betty Ford, former First Lady and breast cancer survivor. After being diagnosed while her husband was in office, Betty garnered more attention to the disease and orchestrated a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries to promote mammograms; the week-long initiative kicked off in October marking it as the official pink ribbon month in 1985.
Pink became the breast cancer awareness color after a ribbon initiative led by Self Magazine and Estée Lauder in 1982. The use of ribbons has long been associated with charities since 1979; the wife of a hostage taken in Iran tied yellow ribbons around the trees in her front yard to demonstrate her longing for her husband to return home safely. This inspired AIDS activists to also take the ribbon as a symbol and display them at the Tony Awards. The New York Times even declared 1992, “The Year of the Ribbon.”
The helpful facts
If a friend or family member has been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are multiple ways to offer them support and comfort. By providing practical support and helping with simple household tasks such as cleaning, dog walking, providing food, or babysitting, you can take a lot of weight off their shoulders. Some people may be reluctant to accept help, and although this can feel personal, you have to understand that their world has been turned upside down and they will fight to maintain a sense of normalcy.
Giving emotional support is another way to help your loved ones through this difficult time. Simply being there and reminding them that you are a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to can be exactly what they need. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone will deal with their diagnosis in their own way.Â
You may not be the one holding the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis and you will want to be there for your loved one, but remember that you must also take care of your emotions. You must look after yourself; make sure you maintain your healthy habits of eating, exercise, and sleep while regulating your own emotions. You cannot be there for your loved one if you are not there for yourself as well.
It is also important to be on the look out for breast cancer, whether you have a family history or not. Make sure to routinely check your breasts for any suspicious lumps and talk with a doctor about the best steps to prevent cancer.
October may be Breast Cancer Awareness month, but we should be giving dignity to breast cancer survivors every day of the year. Each time you see a pair of pink socks or pink ribbon remember to take a moment to give respect to the lives affected by this unjust condition, and to continue to fight for better treatment and care.