Friday marked the start of the 25th annual observance of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A campaign that began a quarter-century ago to educate women about this disease and screening methods for early detection has been expanded to include men who care about the women in their lives. And more recent programs have been aimed at younger women, those in their 20s who may think that breast cancer only strikes their mothers and grandmothers.
A friend of ours has been active this past year in fighting breast cancer.
She lost nearly 50 pounds in a year by training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure in August — along with changing her eating habits. Throughout the year, she used her Facebook profile to solicit donations for the event and connect to the page she created, 50n50, detailing her journey to lose 50 pounds in 50 weeks.
When October began, she turned to Facebook again to get the message out about breast cancer. She has a bachelor’s degree from North Texas and is working on a graduate degree from the University of Kansas, so heading to Baylor last weekend to root for the Jayhawks was a perfect way to connect with old Texas friends.
But she also used it to draw attention to breast cancer, the second-most common cancer in women behind only skin cancer.
Her status on Saturday, as the Baylor-KU match-up was set to begin:
“Game Day in Waco!!! Sure, an 80-yard pass to the end zone would be a good catch — but so is a lump found when it’s smaller than a dime and chances for survival are their best!!!! Get a mammogram regularly and fight breast cancer.
During the trip home on Sunday:
“Driving in Texas/OU traffic for 150 miles sucks — but not as much as chemotherapy and breast cancer. Put your stresses in perspective and help fight breast cancer.”
We’re looking forward to reading each day’s creative post. But it shouldn’t take these kind of reminders for one month out of 12 to encourage women to take care of themselves (or to remind the men in our lives to prod us sometimes.)
All women should perform breast self-exams monthly. They should see their doctors annually. And they should have mammograms done annually beginning at age 40 — or earlier if they are at high risk.
Although a family history of breast cancer puts a woman at higher risk, lack of a family history is no guarantee. After all, every family history of cancer began with one diagnosis.
As the days of October pass, we urge all women to seek out screening for breast cancer. And everyone, women and men, should find ways to remind others of the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
As our friend said in Monday’s Facebook post:
“As you face this Monday, do it with a smile. Why? Because more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before through early detection and improved treatments. Schedule a mammogram and fight breast cancer!!”
Gwendolynne Larson
Executive Editor
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
Why is there a whole month devoted to women and their stinking boob cancer? I have known several men who died of cancer. It got either their stomach, colon, throat or liver. Two friends of mine died quickly from suddenly discovered tumors on their spine that had spread widely. I also know two men who survived cancer, one had throat cancer and one had a small cancerous tumor removed Yet none of those men went dancing around for publicity about their cancer like women do. I am really sick of this in-your-face attitude.
October 9, 2010 at 4:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
jekyll-hyde,
Earlier I flagged your comment to Steve Hart on another story for removal.
Upon thinking it over, I'm glad the Gazette didn't remove it.
Your right to freedom of speech, (no matter how hateful or hurtful), should be protected.
Kind of like the Phelps clan out of Topeka.
As you are a Gazette Fan, I wish you would have availed yourself of the FREE depression screening that was offered at the Library this week.
Oh well, keep on commenting, you bring back memories of a departed poster, long absent from these blogs.
October 9, 2010 at 6:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
FYI... men get breast cancer too, many men have mothers also... some however were Hatched.
October 9, 2010 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
empgazfan:
WOMEN themselves are the ones who realized that breast cancer was decimating their gender in huge numbers. WOMEN themselves became active in finding ways to fund research. WOMEN themselves are organizing all manner of fundraising every single day.
You'd think men, if they too are affected by this dread disease, would form their own foundation to search for the cure.
But you can be assured of this: WOMEN have been taking care of you men since the beginning of your lives. Believe me, your own incidence of breast cancer has not been overlooked. As if you were one of us, you will benefit from what WOMEN are doing for breast cancer research.
Now quit yer bitchin' and give to breast cancer research or any cancer research for that matter. You seem to be a fairly good writer. Why not write opinion pieces and drum up some funding? What positive thing have you done recently to contribute to the cause?
October 9, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Hey empgazfan,
Been watching any NFL games lately? Notice all the pink equipment those players are wearing? That industry recognizes the importance of breast cancer research for women as well as MEN.
Watch Colts v Redskins this Sunday to see lotsa pink.
Real men wear pink.
October 15, 2010 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Steve, marko, create
The more you give it the attention it craves the more it will come back for more.
October 15, 2010 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )