FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a flurry of pink ribbons can be seen almost anywhere.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 as a week-long dedication and it has since grown into a month-long campaign now celebrating its 28th anniversary of providing awareness, education and empowerment.
So, how did the "pink" begin?
The first annual event was created in part by the American Academy of Family Physicians, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca's Health Care Foundation and a non-profit organization, Cancer Care Inc.
In 1982, the color pink took off when the first Komen Race for the Cure had a logo of a female runner outlined with a pink ribbon. A few years later in 1992, Alexandra Penney created a ribbon while working on the second Self magazine breast cancer awareness issue. She began working with cosmetic companies who distributed her ribbon designs in various stores throughout New York City. It wasn't long before news of the pink ribbon and what it symbolized spread throughout the country.
Americans are encouraged to take the intended message to heart, as they will certainly find themselves surrounded by pink each October. This message being that aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 192,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed during their lifetime, making early detection is the key to survival.
If all women over 40 took advantage of early detection methods, it is estimated that death rates would drop by up to 30 percent. Although mammography and clinical exams and monthly self breast exams are key to early detection, mammography is still the best screening tool used today and the best method of detecting changes that may be cancerous long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age and estrogen risks associated with breast cancer include early menstruation, late menopause and no full term pregnancy or first child after the age of 30.
Another risk factor associated with breast cancer is the presence of the BRCA 1 or 2 genes, which can be inherited from a family member. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancer and if a patient has a strong family history of cancer, they speak with a physician about testing. To decrease chances of getting breast cancer and increase your chances of survival, practice early detection methods, know your family history, decrease your daily fat intake, increase your dietary fiber, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, limit alcohol, stay active and do not smoke cigarettes.
It is important to know breast cancer awareness does not end in October. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Board of Sponsors now consists of 15 national public service organizations, professional associations and government agencies. It does not confine its work to 31 days, but works relentlessly for millions of women and their families.
More information on this organization can be found at www.NBCAM.org. This is a year-round resource for breast cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and the general public. Another source of information is the Susan G. Komen Foundation which can be found at www.komen.org. Additional resources include the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.
A display with information on early detection and breast cancer will be maintained in an area adjacent to the Outpatient Records section of McDonald Army Health Center throughout the month of October. It is important to become educated, practice all early detection methods, maintain a healthy lifestyle and encourage other women you know to do the same -- not just in October but every day.