This is important people. Join the fight in raising awareness for breast cancer.

As fall is fully underway, and we begin to talk about Pumpkin Spice everything and halloween costumes, there is something else we should be talking about too - BOOBS.

This month we will all be seeing a lot of PINK. Not only in our classrooms or work offices, but even on the football field, as the NFL shows their support.

Let’s look at some statistics. According to breast cancer.org …

• About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
• In 2016, an estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 61,000 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
• About 40,450 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2016 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1989. Women under 50 have experienced larger decreases. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.

This picture was taken two weeks after my second surgery in December of 2012.

I am 21 years old, and I have had three lumpectomies. My tumors were all benign and referred to as Fibroadenomas. Breast Cancer is in my family history. Although breasts are sexualized, it is crucial to realize actual purpose. Breasts produce milk to feed a mother’s newborn baby. When ducts or lobes are compromised, a woman loses their ability to breastfeed.

This month especially, I encourage you to get involved. Decide on what you would like to donate to (treatment, research, etc). Attend a breast cancer awareness walk, or fundraiser. I would also like to encourage you to see your primary care doctor and have a full breast exam. This shouldn’t just be this month, but every 3-6 months depending on age and likelihood of masses or cysts.

Jones Beach holds a Making Strides walk on October 16th this year. Find a walk by you!

Breast Cancer Walks 2016

You can also donate here !

We have all been touched by cancer in some way, shape, or form. ALL cancers are terrible and scary. This October I challenge you to raise more awareness for Breast Cancer.

To the Lost, the fighting, and the survivors, I salute you.