Everyone has been touched by cancer one way or another. You've lost someone or know someone who has. Perhaps you're battling the disease right now. Today is "Boobie Wednesday" on twitter, commonly known as #boobiewed. To show support and awareness in the fight against breast cancer, women change their avatars to display cleavage. A little racy perhaps, but it's all in good fun. Anything that can be done to shine a light on cancer is a great idea and to show the 9.8 million cancer survivors in the United States they're not alone.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer fatality in women; a woman will be diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. The incidence of cancer increases with age, but can occur in as early as late teens. Although breast cancer occurs predominantly in women, men are not immune; in fact nearly 2,000 cases were diagnosed last year with 440 deaths. Cancer isn't frightened by your station in life, what kind of car you drive and couldn't care less about your schedule.
There is always hope; the greatest weapons in the fight against breast cancer are awareness and early detection. Know your family history and be proactive. If there is an occurrence of cancer in your family, your risk is greatly increased; age, diet, alcohol and smoking are also factors. If you're a woman age 30 years or older, your risk of breast cancer increases exponentially. If detected early, the survival rate on average is 98% for localized disease and 84% for regional, five years after diagnosis.
Above all, be faithful about scheduling a mammogram and do regular self examinations. They can be done in the shower, as you dress for work, whenever you have the time.
Because time is what everyone is fighting for.
If you're wondering why I'm posting this as a man? Because ladies, without you there would be no us.
Be smart, be safe, be well.
Cancer Support Information (as provided by the American Cancer Society)National Breast Cancer Coalition
Telephone: 1-800-622-2838
natlbcc.org
A grassroots advocacy movement dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer through research, access, and influence
National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program
Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-232-4636
cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program helps low-income women gain access to timely, high-quality screening programs for the detection of breast and cervical cancer.
YourShoes 24/7 Breast Cancer Support
Center
Telephone: 1-800-221-2141 (English),
1-800-986-9505 (Spanish)
networkofstrength.org
A 24-hour hotline staffed by trained peer counselors who are breast cancer survivors. YourShoes provides information on breast cancer and breast health to anyone touched by or concerned about this disease.
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