October Is Here! It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 We all know of someone who had had a diagnosis of breast cancer. Many of us have family members who have experienced breast cancer. You may have experienced a breast cancer diagnosis yourself. 

Back when I was first in nursing school back in the late 70s, I didn’t even know what the word CANCER was! I still remember the textbook information 40 plus hears later! If anyone had cancer of any kind many years ago, it was the kiss of death. Very few people survived cancer. Sadly, we still have many people dying of cancer but we are making great strides in treatments.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, We have remember that we have made so many great strides against breast cancer!  But, we still have a long way to go! Many more men and women are beating breast cancer today compared to the late 1970s!  We celebrate each one of them because they are so much more than just survivors! They are warriors! They are champions! They are alive and thriving! Not just surviving!  

As I make October the month to bring more awareness to breast cancer, I want to share some facts that you many have not heard before!

• 65% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage meaning there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the breast. This carries a 5-year relative survival rate of 99%.
• This year, an estimated 43,550 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S.
• Men can have breast cancer, too! It is rare but, it happens!  In 2022, an estimated 2,710 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. and approximately 530 men will die from breast cancer.
• 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, only second to skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2022, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
• There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685 000 deaths globally. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer. 
• There are more lost disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by women to breast cancer globally than any other type of cancer.

We are making great strides but we need to continue moving forward in this fight! There are several organizations doing fundraising for breast cancer research, increased the availability of mammograms for the underserved populations, and support for men and women going through treatment. 

As we go into October, look for local events in your area My husband and I are participating with the American Cancer Society in a 30 miles in 30 days. I’m sure we will do well over 30 miles, but we do it to help organizations near and dear to our hearts while staying faithful to our health.  

I strongly urge you to support a local event and get involved. We do several challenges for organizations during the year. Those challenges have involved things like 20 pushups a day, 10K steps a day, or the one I just completed was 25 sit-ups a day. They are fun and are a great way to be active and healthy! 

Let me know what organization’s event or challenge you choose, and I’ll support you! If you’d like to support us, we’d appreciate it but not nearly as much as the American Cancer Society and all those that benefit from our donations!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/651484596255474?mcp_token=eyJwaWQiOjEzOTkzMCwic2lkIjozNTE1NTY0NDE4NDY2NDM0LCJheCI6ImEyMmU3MzlmZDJiMWEyNGNkZTU3ODFiZWQxZmQzOTEyIiwidHMiOjE2NjQ2NzUxMjAsImV4cCI6MTY2NzA5NDMyMH0.RmnNszZlIWd9cNN0DL7rKEoTm1fI4CSa1x3WRsB-dQc

When they say that 1 in 8 people have breast cancer, I know 8 people and then many, many more!  My mom had breast cancer. It was just one of three types of cancer before she lost her fight in 2008. I have lost dear friends to breast cancer! The next person to be diagnosed with breast cancer may be me ….. or you! 

Over the next few weeks during the month of October, I’ll be sharing additional information about breast cancer and minimizing your risk through taking control of your health! Why? Because I don’t want to be a statistic and I don’t want that for you either!  

If you are looking to create a healthy lifestyle you can continue for life, you are in the right place! Let’s set up a call to discuss your unique goals to give you the health and life you deserve! Go calendly.com/clfedigan to sign up or send me a message!

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Until next time…..

Be well my friends!