National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Get Involved, Save Lives

The Importance of Breast Cancer Screening & Early Detection

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month which means an increased focus on breast cancer education, screening and early detection. Research shows that the earlier breast cancer is detected and treated, the greater the chance for survival. The five-year relative survival rate for those with early-stage breast cancer is 99 percent, according to Susan G. Komen. And thanks to both improved breast cancer treatment and early detection, breast cancer mortality has decreased by 34 percent since 1990.

Please join us in taking the challenge to have a breast cancer screening in the month of October and encourage those you love to do the same.

Know the Breast Cancer Warning Signs & Risk Factors

Most breast cancers are detected during regular mammography screenings, but not all. It is important to know the signs and symptoms. If you have any of these warning signs, see a health care provider.

Some risk factors you can’t change. For example, the two most common risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older. However, there are factors you may be able to control, such as a leading a healthy lifestyle to help lower your risk of getting breast cancer.

Find the Cures

While the breast cancer awareness movement has made a significant impact in saving lives—mostly due to increased awareness surrounding screenings and early detection—we still must find the cures. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer this year, and that 40,290 lives will be lost to the disease.

Raising funds for research is also a part of our annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts. If you can, please join us in making a donation to Susan G. Komen or other nonprofits that support breast cancer research and work diligently to find the cures. Every dollar counts. Together, we can save lives—maybe one of those we love … maybe even ours.