October not only ushers in the fall season but the month of October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Other than seeing pink breast cancer ribbons almost everywhere you look, what exactly is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
As the name suggests, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is set aside for intense focus on breast cancer awareness, but many of us are unaware that there is also an organization by that same name.
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)
works in cooperation with national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies to increase breast cancer awareness as well as to provide greater access to screening services for women regardless of their ability to pay for this life saving service.
This powerful partnership serves to help women and families better understand breast cancer as well as screen for this feared diagnosis.
2010 is a special year for the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
organization as it marks the 25th anniversary of the NBCAM. The focus for this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to encourage women to get a mammogram once every two years beginning at age 50.
While there has been some controversy in the news recently as to how often women should be screened for breast cancer, the NBCAM still strongly advocates that all women 50 and above should be screened at least once every two years.
The NBCAM also recommends that women take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular self-breast exams to identify any changes, schedule regular visits and timely mammograms with their health care providers, comply with prescribed treatment, and know the facts about recurrence.
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
web site offers an abundance of important information including special sections on patient services, disease information, and how to help.
Another helpful feature on this site is the button you can click to find a low-cost screening location near you. This is a wonderful benefit to those who may be without insurance, or have insurance but pay high co-pays, or simply just don’t have the funds to pay for a mammogram.
Of course, taking advantage of a low-cost screening increases early detection of breast cancer and reduces risk for developing more advanced cancer.
How can you do your part to help increase breast cancer awareness? One of the easiest ways is to wear or gift breast cancer awareness jewelry. While there are various types of jewelry to choose from, the ever-popular breast cancer awareness charms and ribbons remain national favorites.
Since pink is the designated the breast cancer awareness color, ribbons typically utilize this color. The sterling silver ribbon charm covered in pink Swaroyksi crystals is a striking example of some of the newer pink ribbon charms.
Other options are pink Pavé breast cancer awareness charms, lockets with a pink ribbon, affirmation rings with pink crystals, pink enameled sterling silver ribbon charms, and then there is the beautiful breast cancer awareness charm bracelet, which is adorned with a variety of awareness charms.
It doesn’t really matter how you choose to acknowledge National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, what does matters is that you do, in some way, acknowledge those who have succumbed to breast cancer, those who have been cured of breast cancer and those who have through testing become aware this October that they are fighting breast cancer.
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