It is surprising the number of people who are unaware of their own bodies. It's one thing to look at yourself in the mirror and critique your good looks but it is something else to start prodding for lumps and bumps.
Many people do not self-test or are even aware of the need to self-test for breast cancer. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2006 statistics 191,410 women were diagnosed with cancer of which 40,820 women died, that is almost 20 percent.
How low would that number have been with early detection?
Estimated new cases in 2010 of breast cancer for women are 207,090 with 39,840 estimated deaths and 1,970 estimated new cases in men with 390 estimated deaths this year. One in five people diagnosed do not survive.
Risk factors
The two greatest risk factors for developing breast cancer are gender and age. Women are at greater risk than men are with the greatest risk in women 40 years and older. That does not exclude younger women or men. Everyone should be aware and self-examining their bodies regularly.
Every year, October is "Breast Cancer Awareness" month. More and more organizations and even small businesses are campaigning to make everyone aware of this killer disease.
The Arizona cardinals All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is donating money for every catch and touchdown he makes during cancer awareness month as part of the NFL's "A Crucial Catch" campaign.
Two-time breast cancer survivor Mary Pat Boyd, CEO of Boyd Silver Works, said, "a portion of every sale from our cancer awareness sterling silver jewelry is donated to cancer research. Asked recently about her jewelry, Boyd explained, "More people than ever buy individually designed cancer awareness jewelry, for themselves, for those suffering breast cancer and for friends and family members who are helping support the cause".
Everyone is making an effort to promote cancer awareness. Many are wearing pink to work (pink is the designated cancer awareness color) others are participating in fun runs or other locally organized events.
Are you participating?
Wherever you are, there is a Breast Cancer Awareness event designed to provide information about cancer explaining how to test for signs of cancer and what to do should you have doubts or questions.
The first step is to be aware the disease exists, the next step is to self-examine and the third is to set an appointment for a mammography.
You have completed the first step by reading this Awareness article. The next step is learning how to self-examine for breast cancer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ian Patterson, a professional freelance web writer and CEO of Write Research Office supports cancer research. Read his article on how to self-examine for breast cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Patterson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Its-Breast-Cancer-Awareness-Month---Do-You-Self-Test?&id=5171969
LINKS
- Stand by Her: A Breast Cancer Guide for Men
- Pilates Therapeutics ® Breast Cancer Survivor's Guide to Physical Restoration
- Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk with Foods You Love
- Cancer Is a Bitch: (Or, I'd Rather Be Having a Midlife Crisis)
- Classical Stretch - The Esmonde Technique: Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Post-Surgery
- Hope for the Journey through Cancer: Inspiration for Each Day
- The Breast Cancer Diaries
- Breast Cancer and Iodine : How to Prevent and How to Survive Breast Cancer
- Focus on Healing through Movement & Dance for the Breast Cancer Survivor
- Breast Cancer for Dummies
- Breast Cancer: Early Detection (Home Use)
- Living Through Breast Cancer - PB
- Secrets for Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk
