| ast cancer is a leading causes of cancer deaths for | | | | cancer, there is still a long way to go before |
| American women. Did you know that: | | | | eradicating the disease. National breast cancer |
| · There will be almost 50,000 deaths from breast | | | | organizations are dedicated to educating women |
| cancer this year; about 400 of them will be men. | | | | about taking ownership of their breast health through |
| · You are most at risk for breast cancer by being a | | | | regular self-breast examinations regular |
| woman and getting older | | | | doctor’s appointments and annual |
| · A new case of breast cancer is diagnosed every 2 | | | | mammograms with their healthcare provider. |
| minutes | | | | There are several national public service organizations, |
| · Over 250,000 new cases of breast cancer are | | | | government agencies, and professional medical |
| diagnosed annually in American women | | | | associations that work together to increase breast |
| · 85% of all breast cancer diagnoses have no family | | | | cancer research, share information, and increase |
| history of the disease | | | | access to critical mammograms. October may be |
| · Death rates from breast cancer have been | | | | known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but |
| decreasing for 20 years | | | | breast cancer awareness is mission for many |
| In America, breast cancer is the most 2nd most | | | | organizations and healthcare providers every day of |
| common cancer (after skin cancer) and also the | | | | the year. |
| second leading cause of cancer death in American | | | | Pink Ribbons to Show Support |
| women. Although the rate of breast cancer diagnosis | | | | The pink ribbon has grown to become the |
| has increased, the good news is that there has been | | | | international symbol of breast cancer awareness. In |
| a drop in the overall breast cancer mortality rate | | | | 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation gave out pink |
| since the early 1990's. Women racial and ethnic | | | | ribbons at its race of breast cancer survivors. In 1992 |
| groups have both lower breast cancer incidence rates | | | | Alexandra Penney, Self Magazine’s editor, and |
| than white women. | | | | Evelyn Lauder, from Estee Lauder, created a pink |
| A Month to Remember Breast Cancer | | | | ribbon campaign and distributed them at New York |
| October1985 was the first National Breast Cancer | | | | City retail stores. |
| Awareness Month. The observance started as a | | | | Today, pink ribbons can be found everywhere. The |
| single week to raise awareness about breast cancer | | | | first breast cancer awareness stamp in America, |
| research and treatment options. Last year, we | | | | featuring a pink ribbon, was sold 1996. Every October |
| commemorated the 25th annual National Breast | | | | many products feature pink ribbons, are dyed pink, |
| Cancer Awareness Month. Although the movement | | | | or are otherwise sold with a portion of the profits |
| has made good progress in the awareness of breast | | | | donated to support breast cancer research. |