Think Pink

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           “Cancer is NOT a death sentence, but rather

             it is a life sentence; it pushes one to live.”

                                                                             Marcia Smith

It’s unfortunately almost inevitable that if you live on this earth, and have ventured out from underneath your rock lately, you know someone whom has had a life touched in some way by the big C, cancer. The results of which are variable at best, from lives that were enriched and uplifted, even with a passing as the end result, to family/personal disasters even when the cancer victim ended up a survivor. The end game is not always an indicator of the experience.

They say money simply enhances a person’s general personality and character attributes, as it can make a good person that much better and a bad person even more degenerate. Cancer, like many serious diseases has a similar effect as it can actually take a person (and the surrounding support system group) either way, depending on many factors.

Early Detection, Prevention and Support

October is our pink month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month to be exact, and organizations from the behemoth, male dominated NFL to small feminist groups, and everyone in between come together to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer research, education and general support.

How can you, the individual, participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Some women still don’t know the steps to take in the prevention off their chances to avert breast cancer, or at least experience early detection. Taking the PLEDGE is your key to supporting the movement as well as protecting yourself.

The PLEDGE is a six-step system by which women are encouraged to learn more about breast cancer as well as spread their knowledge to friends and family. The six steps are:

·       PREVENTION: Ask your doctor what steps to can take that could reduce your risk of breast cancer.

·       LEARNING: Arm yourself with knowledge about your own risks.

·       EXAMINATION: With your doctor, find out when you should get screened for breast cancer, and how often.

·       DENSITY: Have a conversation with your doctor to see if you have "dense" breasts, and which screening approach is right for you.

·       GENETICS: Discuss with your doctor your family history - both mom's and dad's side - of breast cancer, to see what it might mean for your level of risk.

·       EDUCATE - Once you've put these steps into action, "pay it forward" by encouraging friends and family to do it as well.

Look Better, Feel Better, Live Better

Participation and support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month can take the form of wearing or adorning yourself in pink (the pink ribbon is the classic symbol), but a deeper connection can be made through volunteering, donating and/or participating in a local event throughout October.

Taking actionable steps may also dictate, to some degree, your exposure to breast cancer risk. Did you know that breastfeeding is not only beneficial to babies, but it also reduces your chances for breast cancer? For every month you breastfeed, you get additional benefit. The risk of breast cancer can be reduced through exercise – as little as 2.5 hours per week of brisk power walking can reduce your risk by 18%. On the contrary, women that consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day are 51% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those who don’t drink. And finally, do your self-examination monthly and commit to your yearly mammogram!

        “It has been estimated that if every woman over the age of 50 had her yearly mammogram, breast cancer deaths in this age group could drop by 25% or more.”    
                     Source: American Cancer Society