October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club sprung to action, creating awareness by tying pink ribbons down one of our busiest main streets, Curtiss Parkway. You can see pink for miles from the Circle to the new Miami Springs Welcome Sign. In addition to the ribbons, we designed and printed yard signs with statistics and the constant EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES, GET CHECKED message.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
That's one person every 2 minutes in the U.S.
Getting women and men to check themselves is the main goal of this campaign. The GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club plans to repeat this campaign year after year.
Here is some information from the CDC:
What Are the Risk Factors?
Some main factors that affect your chance of getting breast cancer include—
Being older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
What Are the Symptoms?
There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include—
Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
Pain in any area of the breast.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood).
A new lump in the breast or underarm.
If you have any signs that worry you, see your doctor right away.
How Can I Lower My Risk?
You can do things to help lower your breast cancer risk.
Keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
Choose not to drink alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation.
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks.
Breastfeed your children, if possible.
Fast Facts About Breast Cancer
Each year in the United States, about 240,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.
Men also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.
Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women.
Two things to keep in mind from personal experience:
Please don't wait until next October to check yourselves. Early detection saves lives. It saved mine.
You are not alone. Find your tribe! I was lucky to find an army of women who supported me along the way in our amazing Woman's Club. They gave me love and fed my entire family during the process. I am internally grateful, and so is my husband who still misses their food.
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