I might get side-eyes and disapproving looks from those who love Halloween and look forward to it as soon as midnight of October 1st. Which is fine. You do you. But there's more to October than just Halloween. (Put down your pitchforks for a moment).
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Though this might be a bit biased, I don't really care. My mom is a 16-year survivor of this horrible disease, so this is an important month to me, my mom, other breast cancer survivors, fighters, and those who lost the battle to it, and the family of those people. This month is all about spreading awareness of breast cancer, about letting people know that this disease affects men as well women, and just how unforgiving this disease can be.
Here are three key statistics of breast cancer from the American Cancer Society.
1. "Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime."
Think about this. I want you to feel the full-effect of this. Think about eight women in your life: maybe your mom, sister(s), aunts, cousins, friends, and so on. Now one of those eight women is likely to be affected with this disease. I'm not asking you which to chose to be that "one" because you probably don't want to happen it any of them.
2. "Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. (Only lung cancer kills more women each year.) The chance that a woman will die from breast cancer is about 1 in 36 (about 3%)."
Not skin cancer. Not brain cancer. Not liver cancer. It's the 2nd leading cause of cancer in women, with the exception of lung cancer. Even if your family doesn't have a history of this cancer or any others, please start self-examining yourself early. Early detection is key in this cancer and others.
3. "About 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2016."
To put that number in perspective for college students or other people, think of it in terms of the number of times you laugh or talk in day or two days (or more, if you're quiet). It's pretty eye-opening and striking.
4. "About 40,450 women will die from breast cancer in 2016...."
But "at this time [as of 9/13/16] there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. (This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.)" And guess what? My mom is one of those 2.8 million. She fought and won. But some are not as lucky or fortunate to fight and fight and fight and eventually win.
All I ask of you is to keep in mind that there's more to October than just Halloween and candy and themed parties. Thank you.
