5 Actions You Can Take to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Have you always wanted to do something to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) but you didn’t know how to help? Since October is the month to bring awareness to breast cancer, it is a good time to think about ways to contribute to the cause. This annual event is meant to not only raise awareness but also encourage more screenings and increase additional funding efforts to combat breast cancer.
According to the National Foundation Breast Cancer, Inc, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in this year, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
Wearing and displaying pink is a great way to generate discussion and bring attention to breast cancer. We wanted to focus on additional ACTIONS you can take during the month of October to make an IMPACT!
1) Educate yourself and others about breast cancer:
The National Foundation of Breast Cancer shares that In the United States, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. In 2020, it is estimated that 42,170 women will die in the United States from breast cancer and 2,650 men will be diagnosed.
Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information about both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. One of the biggest risk factors is age as most women diagnosed are over 50. Other uncontrollable factors include inherited gene mutations and early menstrual periods. Controllable factors, among others, are to keep an active lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight.
2) Help those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer:
Rather than telling a woman “let me know if you need help,” proactively make arrangements to assist a friend, acquaintance or family member struggling with breast cancer. Offer to help with her children or grandchildren, organize a meal schedule in the neighborhood or let her know you would like to clean her house. You can grocery shop for her or even drive her to chemo appointments, of course with mask wearing and social distancing safety considerations in mind. Sometimes just supporting her with a phone call or even an uplifting zoom gathering if she feels up to it can go a long way.
3) Donate to charities and research:
According to Very Well Health, these are the top 5 non profit charities supporting breast cancer. Funds raised for breast cancer go to research, education and awareness and also to help women in need of day to day assistance while navigating the challenges associated with the disease. When researching charities, look for ones that focus not only on awareness but on FINDING A CURE.
4) Donate clothes, hats and scarves to chemo centers:
Are you a knitter? Hats and scarves are always needed for women due to hair loss associated with any cancer. Find a chemo center in your area and donate blankets, clothes, hats, scarves or whatever they tell you the center needs.
5) Fundraise with your girlfriends or family:
Susan G. Komen Foundation Fundraisers: Not only can you organize a group of friends for the Race for the Cure, but the Susan G. Koman Foundation has many different fundraisers you can easily initiate. Celebrate your wedding, birthday or workplace engagement by tapping into one of these great fundraising options.
Online Charity Auction: Check out one of the 18 Awesome Online Charity Auction Tools to organize an online auction. Request donations from restaurants, spas, and other local boutiques looking to bring attention to their companies. It is a fun and effective way to raise money for your favorite breast cancer charity.
Of course continue to perform breast self-exams on a regular basis and schedule your regular mammograms. If you want to contribute to the cure or help a woman in need directly, consider one of these options during Breast Cancer Awareness month.