Now that it's October, you won't be able to turn on the television, open a woman's magazine, or listen to the radio without hearing public service announcements related to breast cancer awareness. Forty years ago this was a hushed disease that was barely discussed in the privacy of one's home, much less in public.
Today, breast cancer is front and center in the public eye. That's good news. The more we educate women about this disease, the more women will be diagnosed early and become long-term survivors like myself.
I hope that during this month you will consider doing several things:
- Encourage someone you love to get her annual mammogram. (Include yourself!) Screening mammography facilities book fast, so call now and schedule yours. Take your sister or mom with you. Go to lunch afterwards knowing that you've done the right thing for your families by maintaining your breast health.
- Participate in a breast cancer awareness event. There are many to choose from: Race for the Cure, Avon's 2 Day Walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Your local breast center may be planning some events that you could join. These events raise local awareness and funds for education and research.
- Donate to a breast cancer organization. The funds raised today will help us find the cure so our daughters won't have to worry about this disease in the future.
- Wear a pink ribbon to promote awareness.
- Write to a friend or relative who is a breast cancer survivor and tell her how proud you are of her for having taken on this disease and overcome it.
- Write to a friend or relative who has lost a loved one to this disease to say that you are making a donation in her memory.
- Attend women's health seminars that discuss breast cancer to empower yourself with information about this disease: early detection, prevention, and treatment.
The day will come when breast cancer appears in the textbooks in the chapter "Cured Diseases." Until then, we need to do the right thing for ourselves and those we love.
Please you join me on Yahoo! Health throughout October as I share with you my views and vision for the future of breast cancer screening, prevention, treatment, and much more.