Breast cancer is something many people have to face in their lives. Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women to develop, next to skin cancer. Women have a 1 in 8 chance of getting this disease. In the United States right now, 3.1 million women are living as breast cancer survivors, and the numbers continue to climb.
Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women, however. 1% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S affect men. It is very rare, but still very real. The risk of men getting breast cancer is 1 in 833.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held in October, because the International Health Campaign organizes fundraisers every October. These fundraisers are used to raise awareness of the disease and raise money for research, treatment, and cures. This campaign starts October 1st and ends October 31st every year.
“My Aunt had leukemia (a different form of cancer). She was really into running, so when she found out she had cancer, she had to stop doing most of her athletics. It was really hard seeing her stop doing the things she loved,” Caroline Otten commented.
“Cancer has spread its way through my family. My paternal grandma passed away due to lung cancer. She was exposed to secondhand smoke as a young child and unfortunately, that smoke took her away from my family when she was only in her 40s. Cancer didn’t stop there,” Kamryn Poe added. “My Aunt Janet had bone cancer. She passed away two years ago because her bones were turning into brittle. My Uncle Edward, someone who I believe is one of the strongest men in my life, has had cancer as well. He is still battling colon cancer, but he is getting stronger every day.
“I have seen so much cancer in my life. I have had a family friend, Andy, who battled testicular cancer. He luckily is in remission-- but it was a long road. Nina Boehmer, a role model in my life, also battled cancer. She was faced with breast cancer. It was a hard time for all of her friends and family. She never had a smile off of her face and she is still so full of life. I am happy to say, that she is stronger than ever. She beat breast cancer and is still there for her daughter and son. Cancer is never an easy thing to hear. In my 18 years, I have known many people with all types of cancer. I have witnessed it taking lives and I have witnessed people beating it. I have known and still know strong people who have been dealt a rotten hand. I am glad to say these people are my role models and I am thankful for all the time I have spent with all of them.”
Some ways you can show your support for BCAM is by:
- Updating your profile picture on Facebook with the pink ribbon and one of the Breast Cancer filters
- Wearing pink and share your pictures with the #PinkPose
- Shopping our Pink Partners
- Learning the facts about breast cancer, so that you know the symptoms and risks of both men and women having it
- Organizing your own fundraiser in your area to give support
- Making a donation to a Breast Cancer organization
- Volunteering to help in any way you can
For more information, visit: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html
Source: “What is Breast Cancer?” American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html