Breast cancer. These two words may be the two most brutal words in the English language. Its impact on women has changed the world. This disease has the power to directly impact 51 percent of the population. Although it can affect men, it is extremely rare. Breast cancer research has greatly increased and has affected society. It is more than a disease. It represents the power of women.
Really think about it. In 1920, women received the right to vote. Women were always seen as "less than" men. Even now, women still aren't entirely equal with men. This article isn't about the inequality of women versus men, though. The point that I'm trying to make is we are now in a world that is fighting against a disease that directly impacts women. That is incredible. It's something that brings everyone together because no human being ever wants to hear the words "you have cancer." It shouldn't take your mother or someone you are close to start caring about breast cancer. You should care about it anyway because it is important.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink is everywhere and it is extremely empowering. Even the NFL participates: their players wear pink on their uniforms during games. You can find pink on everything from pens to shirts to agendas that all support breast cancer research. In October, you cannot avoid the color pink. That's how it should be done. Wearing pink may not end the disease. I understand that. However, many of those shirts donate a certain percentage of the proceeds to research. It also increases awareness. Many people may think, "Everyone knows what breast cancer is, it's everywhere." But how do you think it became so huge? If people did not take breast cancer awareness so seriously, people wouldn't know that much about the disease. For example, although the ASL ice bucket challenge was controversial, I had no idea what ASL was until the challenge. It's the same with breast cancer. If people did not take it seriously, we would not know much about it until it directly impacts us.
Knowing about it helps women. We should know how to detect the early signs of breast cancer. 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. This is a disease that needs to end. The awareness it has can change the world. This disease has challenged women but proves how strong we are. Let's continue to fight breast cancer. Let's continue to raise awareness. Let's continue to work together so no one ever has to hear the words, "you have breast cancer."
