October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 1, 2009

Flickr photo by Abby Lanes

Flickr photo by Abby Lanes

Just in case you've forgotten or haven't already seen the masses of pink products popping up in retail stores, today kicks off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). This year marks the 25th year that October has been designated as NBCAM.

Wikipedia describes NBCAM as an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its' cause, prevention and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast-aware for earlier detection.

For those of you that were reading us last October, you know that Susan G. Komen for the Cure is one of my favorite charities. I've been participating in the Race for the Cure for several years now and it's always such a great event. There's something about the story of Susan G. Komen and her sister, Nancy Brinker that has always been close to my heart. What Nancy Brinker has accomplished with the Susan G. Komen Foundation never ceases to amaze me. I talked recently about Nancy Brinker receiving the Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.

Our family has been very fortunate so far, not to have been effected personally by this disease, but with the staggering number of women diagnosed with breast cancer every day, it could happen to any one of us, whether genetic or not. I hate to admit it, but since BigSis and I are both in peri-menopause, there are a lot of factors that can contribute to increased odds of getting breast cancer.

I go to my gynecologist every January for my annual check up just so that it's easy to remember when it's time to go. And, I've always followed up and scheduled my mammogram right after that appointment. With so much happening in our lives these past two and a half years, I've gotten off track and missed my mammogram.

There's just no excuse for that! I've been so mad at myself for letting ‘life' get in the way of making a simple phone call to set up an appointment. I found my doctor's order in my planner from January, so I picked up the phone this morning and scheduled my mammogram.

We'll be talking more about NBCAM throughout this month, but I would like for today to be a reminder to anyone who's procrastinated, like I have, to pick up the phone and schedule your mammogram.

Oh, and if you're a football fan, don't be surprised this Sunday when you see some of the NFL players sporting some hot pink gloves, sweatbands, towels, and even cleats! The idea for the cleats came from Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams. Williams has a personal interest in breast cancer, as his mother was diagnosed in 2004. His mother is now in remission, but she lost all three of her sisters to breast cancer.

It really is true that each individual can make a difference in their own special way. For anyone with a blog or Twitter account, you can help spread awareness by going Pink for October. Check out my Twitter @lilsisca.

~LilSis

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2 Comments so far

  1. Posted by BigSis

    October 1, 20096:25 am

    I got my mammo done last week so that’s checked off the list. Bone density scan was done this week, so check that too! Next week: skin cancer check. You have to do all these things, even though they’re NO fun! You just be a big girl, do it, and then get yourself a treat!!

  2. Posted by grace

    October 3, 20096:20 am

    i love that there’s been so much attention brought to breast cancer awareness this year, both in general and in blogland. excellent post!
    .-= grace´s last blog post … oreo shmoreo =-.

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