132 PROFESSIONAL WOMAN'S MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE WWW.PROFESSIONALWOMANMAG.COM
LIFESTYLE : HEALTH FAMILY TRAVEL
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reast cancer awareness month or National Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins on Thursday, October 1 and ends on Saturday, October 31 2020. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with an average lifetime risk of developing breast cancer at 12 percent. There are about 300,000 cases diagnosed each year, with about 15 percent of those (40,000 people) dying from the disease each year. A clearer way of looking at it and why it's so serious is that 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer, and 1 woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. Additionally, and contrary to what most people believe, breast cancer doesn't just end with the female folks; men can develop breast cancer as well (although it's rare). Always keep in mind that screening for breast cancer begins at 40 years old (for average risk women) with annual mammograms, and that catching breast cancer early can save your life.
Why Go Pink for October?
Every October, the color pink shows up in full force. From lapel pins to NFL uniforms, people integrate pink into their wardrobes to support breast cancer awareness month. As an awareness campaign, it's incredibly successful. But awareness is just the stu!tufq/!Gspn!bxbsfoftt-!qvcmjd!ifbmui!fevdbujpo! and advances in research are possible. Lydia Komarnicky, MD, professor and chair pg!uif!Efqbsunfou!pg!Sbejbujpo!Podpmphz!boe! a member of the board of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, says wearing pink "reminds people of the importance of the month of October and to get a mammogram if you have forgotten. More importantly, I think the pink shirt, ribbon, hat, or merchandise of your choice honors those who have successfully beaten the disease, those who are currently battling the disease, and also reminds us of those that have succumbed to the disease."
U.S. AIR FORCE GRAPHIC/ STAFF SGT. COURTNEY RICHARDSON
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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