October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is a statistic that should raise eyebrows: One out of every eight women living in the United States will have to deal with some form of breast cancer. Despite the publicity paid to the disease in the media, we are no closer to a cure today than we were 30 years ago. However, a campaign devoted to educating both men and women about the many perils associated with breast cancer helps the residents of our senior housing community fight back against the disease. 

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotes preventing the disease by implementing strategies such as screenings, as well as educating Americans about how to combat the symptoms of the disease. Renowned worldwide for its pink-colored ribbons, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings together national cancer advocacy groups and local organizations like mom-and-pop retail outlets.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month includes Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. The month-long event began in 1985 as a weeklong public awareness campaign organized by the American Cancer Society. Many iconic brands such as Estee Lauder have helped fund events, as well as provide logistical support for mobile breast cancer screening stations.

What Do I Need to Know About Breast Cancer?

Devoting a month to increasing awareness of breast cancer has turned into one of the most successful public education campaigns run in the United States. The month-long awareness campaign reminds us to learn more about breast cancer, as well as how to minimize the risk of contracting the disease.

Breast cancer represents the most common form of cancer that develops among American women. Black females run the highest risk of dying from the disease, mostly because around one in five black women receive a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer, which is a much higher diagnosis rate among other ethnic and racial groups. More than 80 percent of breast cancers diagnosed involve women who do not have a family history of developing the disease. Breast cancer often develops as the result of the aging process rather than living with inherited genetically produced cell mutations.

How Can I Make a Difference During Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023?

The first step toward making a difference during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 is to take preventive steps such as undergoing regularly scheduled medical screenings. A wide variety of healthcare organizations offer free breast cancer screenings to encourage both men and women to take preemptive action. You also should spend time learning more about the disease by watching podcasts and the videos uploaded online by reputable healthcare sources.

To support a breast cancer advocacy organization, consider making a donation to an organization like Breastcancer.org. Volunteering to help a breast cancer organization is another way to leave a positive impact on the breast cancer education movement. You can volunteer by running a booth at a conference and/or participating in a fundraising event.At MorningStar at Silver Lake, our senior housing community in Everett, Washington emphasizes the importance of preventive healthcare, especially when it comes to detecting the development of breast cancer. Learn more by scheduling a tour today.