By
Marjorie Adam
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings needed attention to a disease that affects millions. This month aims to spotlight the importance of early detection, screening, and education surrounding breast cancer—a disease that sees more than 2.3 million women diagnosed each year.
It is likely that if you are reading this, you or someone you know has fought this disease. For me, it was my Mom. Mom passed away from Parkinson’s disease, not breast cancer, but I learned a lot about this disease going through it with her.
Mom fought breast cancer not once, but twice. She was diagnosed for the second time almost 20 years after her first diagnosis, just a few months after I completed a 39 mile walk in honor of her cancer battle.
The Importance of Knowing Your Risk
Understanding your family history can be a lifesaving measure in the battle against breast cancer. Discussing your family's health history with your doctor will help assess your risk. Together, you can create a personalized plan to monitor for self checks and when you should get a mammogram.
Because of Mom’s history, I started getting Mammograms earlier based on recommendations from my doctor. It is vital to make sure this is part of your plan if you have a family history of breast cancer. Please do not put this off.
The Reality of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S., with a woman receiving this diagnosis roughly every two minutes. Disturbingly, 1 in 8 women will face this diagnosis in her lifetime. These statistics underscore the significance of taking steps and action to be proactive against it.
Screening and Early Detection
For those at average risk, it’s critical to start having yearly mammograms at age 40. If you experience any unusual symptoms at all, seeking treatment early can significantly improve your chances of survival. Know your body: familiarize yourself with what’s normal for you so that you can recognize if something doesn’t feel right.
Trust your gut. If you have concerns, get checked. It is better to be wrong and get checked out.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
While some risk factors are unavoidable, many lifestyle choices are within your control and can potentially lower your risk of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight, moderating alcohol intake, and engaging in regular exercise are all actions you can incorporate into your daily routine to improve your overall health.
There are so many things that we have to think about each day, but it is time to prioritize our health. Go for more walks, go to the gym, take a yoga class. Fit these in wherever you can into your day.
Take Action
This October let’s act. There are countless ways to get involved in the fight against breast cancer. Support a local organization with your time, participate in a fundraising event, share information with loved ones and encourage them to get screened. Get screened yourself. Every action counts.
Use this month to schedule your mammogram now if you have not done so. Ask your friends if they have done so.
Honoring Survivors and Remembering Those Lost
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also a time to honor the resilience of those who have faced this disease and to pay tribute to those we have lost. Their stories inspire our collective fight against breast cancer and highlight the necessity for continued research and advocacy.
Mom was a warrior in her fight. I was in awe of her braveness and resiliency and her amazing attitude. She fought head on and was aggressive with her treatment.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month let’s come together not just in awareness but in action. Awareness saves lives, but taking action to talk to our doctor and get a mammogram, supporting those in need who are fighting breast cancer now, and fundraising for research, we can all contribute to a future where breast cancer is easier to detect, treat, and survive.