You recently may have noticed a few of the buildings of Chicago’s skyline illuminated in pink. This is in honor of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Many people hear the words “breast cancer” and are filled with a sense of dread, and its no wonder that people find it daunting. North America actually has the largest population of women with breast cancer.
However, the good news is that survival rates are increasing. According to the American Cancer Society, women in Stage 0 or 1 have a 100 percent chance of survival, versus women in Stage 4 who have a 20 percent survival rate.
Each stage is determined by how far the cancer has progressed, such as to lymph nodes or organs. The increased survival rates can be attributed to early detection as well as support and treatment options.
Linda, a breast cancer survivor and Y-ME counselor, emphasized that, “early detection is key. Technology has come so far that if it’s caught in time, women will survive.” Linda was only 32 years old when she was diagnosed after she did a self-exam.
The American Cancer Society advises women in their 20s to get breast exams by a medical professional, which can be a doctor, nurse or nurse practitioner every three years. The professional will look and feel to assess if there are any abnormalities. Not every lump is cancerous, but it is important to get checked out any way. Women should also do self-exams but make sure that they are doing it correctly by asking their health professional.
It can be embarrassing or awkward to ask these questions, but it is important for women to take their health into their own hands. Women over 40 should also get a yearly mammogram.
There is a tremendous wealth of support for women diagnosed with breast cancer or even for those who want to know more about early detection. The American Cancer Society has a very helpful, detailed website www.cancer.org ,as well as a 24-hour hotline on which you can speak with a cancer information specialist.
If you have any questions about breast cancer, or if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the American Cancer Society is a wonderful resource. Another helpful organization is Y-ME, a national support system for women with breast cancer. They have a hotline as well for women facing breast cancer and in need of support. The counselors are breast cancer survivors.
Even though we are half way through October, there are still a couple more breast cancer events coming up. Y-ME is sponsoring a Pink Streak Marathon Team to run in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Sunday, Oct. 22.
There is also the 26th Annual Y-ME Illinois Fashion and Luncheon Circle of Help and Healing on Saturday, Oct. 28th at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. The reception is at 10:30 a.m. and the luncheon is at noon.
Anyone interested in joining the Pink Streak Team for the marathon should contact Ciara McGrath at cmcgrath@y-me.org. You can purchase fashion show tickets on line at www.y-me.org.
Breast cancer affects everyone. Women get the disease, but their families are touched by it as well. This article is not only for women. Men should urge the women in their lives to get breast exams and mammograms. We all have women in our lives.
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