As October begins, back-to-school motivation is replaced by mid-term dread and crises. The tenth month of the year is known for pumpkin-everything, Canadian Thanksgiving and Halloween. However some people may not know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The annual month-long health campaign involves several events, donation drives and promotional merchandise to shed light on the disease that, according to cancer.ca, an estimated 26,900 women and 230 men will be diagnosed with in the year 2019.
So, what can you do during this month?
Educate
While breast cancer is one of the better-known types of cancer, some may still not know just how much it affects people’s lives. Within Canada, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 33 will die from the disease. Knowing a few things about screening, diagnoses and general facts could help save yourself or the women in your life:
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Women over the age of 40 should talk to their doctors about screening for breast cancer
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Women under the age of 40 may not necessarily need a mammogram, but breast self-exam can still be performed. Check out this link here for more info on self-examinations: https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam
Donate
Donating to a cause doesn’t always mean that you have to donate money, especially if funds are tight from a few too many PSL’s. There are ways to donate your time and support instead. Here are a few opportunities around Edmonton
CIBC Run for the Cure- October 6, 2019
- Run, volunteer or donate to the annual 5k event being held at the Legislature!
- Find more info here : http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR/RunfortheCure/RFTC_NW_even_?fr_id=26244&pg=entry&s_qkey=www.google.com#_ga=2.159157690.1842324095.1569739267-1157422482.1569739267
Volunteer with the Alberta Cancer Foundation: https://albertacancer.volunteerhub.com/
Hooters Pink Party- October 17, 2019
- A $10 ticket gets you a $10 Hooters certificate, food and drink specials, and the ability to participate in an auction and other fun activities!
- Find more info here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hooters-edmonton-pink-party-fight-against-breast-cancer-tickets-73476798081
Support
Lastly, if you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, know that this month is for you. In addition to educating and donating, sometimes you will have to be the emotional, mental and physical support for those with breast cancer.
And if you don’t know anyone with breast cancer, showing your support by purchasing merchandise that promises to donate a portion of their proceeds to a reputable breast cancer-related foundation is helpful too.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It may or may not hold a lot of significance to you but it does mean something to 1 in 8 women in Canada. So join me and countless others in sporting our pink clothing and pink ribbons, in ensuring proper screenings, in educating ourselves and others and in participating in the awareness campaign to whatever extent we are able to.
Sources: https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/statistics/?region=on