October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Cancer of any kind is a formidable foe. It is a tremendous enemy, and can effect almost anyone, anytime, in almost anyway. Breast cancer is a cause that has truly been blessed with a wonderful marketing juggernaut in the Susan G. Komen foundation, and the classic pink ribbon campaign.
Although breast cancer primarily strikes women, men can fall prey to this disease as well. It is very common...More than 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in women in the U.S. is breast cancer. Breast cancer incidence in women in the U.S. is 1 in 8, and the primary risk factors are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older). There are many types of breast cancer, and depending on when they are caught, they are treatable, and often survivable. It is hereditary, and the risk doubles if a woman has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
It is quite amazing...The amount of money raised specifically for breast cancer research and support. There are many people out there who feel that the Susan G. Komen is perhaps "hogging" the spotlight when it comes to their efforts. They do spend a lot of money on advertising and public relations, but they also have set an amazing example as to how to go about fighting an enemy like this. The foundation has invested more than $1 billion since it's inception in 1982.
I know two women first hand battling this disease at this very moment. One of them has had her mastectomy, and is starting chemo, and the other is in the middle of her chemo and if all goes well, will have a mastectomy early next year. Please keep Elaine and Kathryn in your thoughts and prayers, and send them strength and positive thoughts.
Sadly, the key to fighting this particular disease is not really prevention...It is early detection. There have been many advances in the breast cancer story over the years. For example, routine mammography has been strongly encouraged and covered by insurance since the mid-1980's. There have also been significant advances in treatment, like the drug Herceptin, which was developed at the Jonsson Cancer Center at UCLA with support by the biotech firm Genentech, and received FDA approval in 1998. There is a Lifetime Original Movie based on this story starring (my boyfriend;) Harry Connick, Jr. It is called "Living Proof" and is a wonderful story about what Dr. Dennis Slamon went through getting this drug through funding, testing and clinical trials. Lifetime is showing this movie again next week in case anyone is interested...Friday, October 8, 8:00 p.m. on Lifetime. They are also showing another Original Lifetime Movie called "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy" immediately following "Living Proof" at 10:00 p.m. on October 8th.
The way I look at it, any advance in cancer research, treatment, and hopefully cures, will benefit us all in one way or another. They are starting Herceptin trials on certain types of stomach cancers now.
If you have the time to volunteer, time to pray, or money to help, or purchase something pink that contributes a percentage of your purchase to a breast cancer charity, or even time to educate yourself more on this disease that is likely to directly effect a woman very close to you at some point in your life, it certainly couldn't hurt. Every bit of knowledge and every penny that goes to research is one step closer to putting an end to this disease, and eventually to cancer as a whole.
Do your part...No matter how small.
Much love.
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