FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
October is here once again, and with a flurry of pink ribbons, it marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Celebrating its 27th anniversary of providing awareness, education and empowerment, National Breast Cancer Awareness began in 1985. It was initially a week-long event, but has since evolved into a month-long campaign.
So, just how did the "pink" begin?
The first celebration was a collaborative event created in part by the American Academy of Family Physicians, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca's Health Care Foundation and a non-profit organization called Cancer Care, Inc. A few years earlier, in 1982, the color pink took off when the first Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure had a logo of a female runner outlined with a pink ribbon.
Then, in 1992, while working on the second magazine breast cancer awareness issue, Alexandra Penney created a ribbon, and worked with cosmetic companies who distributed them in New York stores. From this point, the pink ribbon became a symbol for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and caught on throughout the country.
While many individuals are sure to be surrounded by the color pink throughout the month of October, advocates of breast cancer awareness want everyone to take the intended message to heart. Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women.
More than 192,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and statistics show that one in eight women will be diagnosed during their lifetime. Most doctors agree, 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. Annual mammography and clinical exams, plus monthly self-breast exams are the 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. Estrogen risks associated with breast cancer include early menstruation, late menopause (after the age of 55), 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 (breast cancer) 1 or 2 genes, which can be inherited from a family member. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5 - 10 percent of all breast cancer. Individuals who have a strong family history should speak with their physician about possible testing for this gene.
To decrease your 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 remain smoke free.
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. Komen Foundation, which can be found at
www.komen.org. Additional resources include the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.
A display with information on early detection and breast cancer will be maintained in an area adjacent to outpatient records in the McDonald Army Health Center throughout the month of October.
Become educated, practice all early detection methods, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and encourage other women to do the same: not just in October but every day.