The month of October has been designated as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" as part of an effort to raise public consciousness about the disease, which is the second highest cause of cancer death among American women. According to recent studies, breast cancer affects 1 in 4 women in the World and is expected to cause 43,550 deaths in the United States alone this year. In addition, Breast cancer was the most common cancer and the fifth cause of cancer deaths among women in China in 2015.
Currently, there is no cure for this fatal disease. The good news is that most women may survive breast cancer with the help of medical treatments and alternative therapies if it is identified early, making education and awareness more important than ever before.
Although getting involved in October's breast cancer awareness month may seem difficult at first, there are actually quite a few simple things you can do to show your support.
And therefore, here are five concrete ways you can help the millions of women who have been touched by breast cancer:
1. Educating Yourself and Others
Breast cancer is not preventable, but it can be detected and treated early with regular self-examinations and other healthy lifestyle choices.
When it comes to breast cancer, most signs aren't obvious unless you get screened regularly. Therefore, it is advised that all women over the age of 40 have mammography( X-ray examination of the breasts for diagnosing and locating abnormalities) performed annually to aid in early detection.
After you've done your part, you can help spread awareness by encouraging the women in your life, especially those who are at higher risk, to self-examine their breasts and undergo frequent mammograms.
All things considered, we're in this together. So, let's be breast friends!
2. Wear Pink
Are you noticing lots of pink ribbons recently? Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the pink ribbon is a universal symbol of that cause. It is worn to show solidarity in the fight against breast cancer and to show respect for those who have passed away from the disease.
#PinkIsPower
Wearing a pink ribbon is one approach to spreading breast cancer awareness, but it is by no means the only one. Pink clothing, pink hair, pink makeup, or even a pink gemstone pendant necklace are all great ways to express your support.
As an additional gesture of support, you may give someone you know who is facing breast cancer a special piece of jewelry, such as pink gemstone earrings or a pendant necklace.
Spend your money wisely on breast cancer jewelry from Modern Gem Jewelry decorated with pink gemstones to serve as a reminder that nobody is alone in this fight and that we can win this battle.
3. Raise awareness using various social media platforms
Without a doubt, social media is among the most potent resources available to us today. By sharing useful information, articles, and resources that improve breast cancer awareness among not just women but also their male companions, you can easily make a difference and raise awareness about the issue this month.
Provide information and personal accounts from breast cancer survivors to help other patients make informed treatment decisions. Also, you can set an example by talking about your own successful breast cancer screening.
4. Help a Cancer Patient
The news of a breast cancer diagnosis can have a devastating effect on a family. This can make everything from completing routine tasks to making routine trips to the doctor's office more challenging.
Try to think of ways you may help a person who is fighting breast cancer without them having to ask. You can help by walking their dog, cooking for them, reminding them to take their medications, driving them to and from doctor's appointments, picking up groceries, offering moral support, etc.
Donations of clothing, scarves, hats, and blankets are often accepted in chemo wards. Inquire at the front desk of the hospital's chemotherapy center or breast cancer ward to see if they accept donations of this nature. Although seemingly insignificant, this action can have far-reaching effects.
5. Create a Fundraising or Make a Donation
It may come as a surprise to learn that 47% of women delay or forego necessary preventative care owing to financial constraints. Survival rates from breast cancer are lower in populations that are economically disadvantaged and/or do not have access to health insurance. So, if you want to make a bigger difference, organizing a fundraising event in your area is a fantastic option. DIY events might be anything from a marathon race to a bake sale to a lemonade stand. Once you're done, you can give the money to a charity that helps people with breast cancer.
Participating in these events will not only help those dealing with breast cancer, but will also be gratifying on an individual level. Keep in mind that your involvement, in whatever form it takes, will have a lasting impact on your own life and the lives of those around you.