The traditional “Pink Out” events implemented by multiple sporting communities have started resurfacing this month. The most common sights: pink shirts, pink ribbons, pink socks, pink hair-dye, pink shoes/laces. There is so much pink going on that everyone should just wear pink on Wednesdays. Why? Well, since it is October, there is a raised awareness for breast cancer!
Many people have family members, neighbors, classmates, and friends that have gone through the struggle of fighting or defeating breast cancer. In fact, we all have stood by and supported them at one time or another on their journeys to achieve what 1.7 million people in the world can only attempt to do (Fischer, Yasin, & Bien, 2016). This illness not only affects one person’s life, but also those who have crossed paths with that person.
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Though women are more common to be the victims of breast cancer, men can also be diagnosed—but it is rare. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and men have a 1 in 1,000 chance of being diagnosed. Being able to fight the cancer depends on multiple factors: treatment options, age, gender, genetics, race, family history, and many more.
Although there more women that have breast cancer than not, about 3.5 million in United States turn out to be survivors (“Breast Cancer Facts – National Breast Cancer Foundation”, 2019). In fact, the average survival rate of women after 5 years of being diagnosed is about 89 percent no matter what stage that person is (Fischer, Yasin, & Bien, 2016). According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., men usually have “a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola”—the darker area of skin around the nipple—which is often left untreated, as awareness of breast cancer in men is rare in society.
Do not forget that it is safer to ask your doctor about more information on breast cancer and the risk of you being diagnosed if you really want to be more informed. It is better to treat breast cancer at an earlier stage if one is very possibly at a higher risk of having the illness. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT google the information on your own!! Findings are not always correct!!
Photo: Benoitsdesign.co // Taylor McElhinny
Raise awareness for those warriors who have triumphed and are continuing to triumph against this deadly opponent.
Raise awareness for the warriors who have lost the strenuous battle.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so be sure to wear pink as much as you can for these fighters! They will not stand alone!
References
- Breast Cancer Causes and Risk Factors. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/what-causes-breast-cancer
- Breast Cancer Facts – National Breast Cancer Foundation. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts
- Fischer, K., Yasin, K., & Bien, M. (2016). Breast Cancer Survival: Statistics and Facts. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/survival-facts-statistics
- Male Breast Cancer – National Breast Cancer Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/male-breast-cancer
SOURCES
- https://avenuesofcounseling.com/breast-cancer-awareness-month/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/survival-facts-statistics
- https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts
- https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/what-causes-breast-cancer
- https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/male-breast-cancer
- https://www.benoitsdesign.co/uncategorized/benoits-design-breast-cancer-ribbon/