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Along with the abundance of pumpkin spiced lattes and corn mazes around the country, October is also the month that brings us a lot of pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Approximately 1 in 8 women in the U.S. are afflicted, and more than 2 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. Chances are, you already know someone who has been affected by this type of cancer. Though educating yourself on prevention and self-care techniques when it comes to it is of high importance, there are also some ways in which you can join the global effort for awareness.

How can I become involved?

• The pink ribbon is the international symbol for breast cancer, and pink has been associated with promoting awareness of it, as well as the efforts made to support women suffering from breast cancer. Wearing pink or adorning your outfit with a pink ribbon is an easy way to showcase support!
• Volunteering locally or nationally is also a good option, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) runs many programs that you can join: Relay for Life, Road to Recovery, and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer are some of them. You can also join one of the many Komen Race for the Cure events nationwide for another fundraising opportunity.
• Share facts and statistics whenever possible. You can do that in social conversations if the subject is brought up, in support of breast cancer survivors, with your coworkers, or with your kids as well if they are old enough to understand.

What are some basic facts I can share?

The National Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society are great resources to learn more about breast cancer, access the latest news and statistics, and keep up with the latest scientific discoveries around it. These resources can back up the following US-specific facts:

1. Apart from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common among women
2. 1 out of 8 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime
3. Every 2 minutes on average a woman in diagnosed with breast cancer
4. There are over 3.8 billion breast cancer survivors
5. 63% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%

How can I lower my risk?

Though there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer and some of the factors may be outside of your control, such as being born female and growing older, here are some basic actions you can take to lower your risk of breast cancer.

• Get regular mammograms to keep tabs on the health of your breasts. Many clinics offer free mammograms in October, so you can take advantage of this opportunity and urge your friends to do the same. Support them, go with them to the appointment, and lead by example.
• Limit alcohol or avoid it: even low intake of alcohol has been linked to increased chances of getting breast cancer, so try to limit it to 1 alcoholic drink a day.
• Maintain healthy weight: especially after menopause, it is important to maintain a healthy weight by watching your diet and exercising regularly, as weight gain and increased body weight have been linked to increased chances of breast cancer.