Breast Cancer Awareness Hits October

By Anna Valdez
Web Content Contributor

This time of the year marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), is an annual health campaign held every October to increase awareness of the disease. Organizations also raise funds for research into the cause of the disease, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

The campaign offers information, resources and support to those affected by breast cancer. The campaign officially begins Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 31 every year.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is intended to educate people about the importance of early screening and more. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), when breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100 percent. Examples of early detection practices include monthly breast self-exams, scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

NBCF also offers a variety of resources and programs for breast cancer awareness. These resource guides are free and vary from topic, some of which involve developing healthy habits, steps to early breast cancer detection, a walk-through of the mammogram process and much more. You can find a link to these helpful guides (they are free to download) here.

I believe a person’s health and medical care is a right, not a luxury. Every person should be given access to affordable health care no matter what. NBCF partners with medical facilities across the country to provide free mammograms and diagnostic breast care services through their National Mammography Program. To find a facility nearest you, click here.

If you would like to donate to NBCF, you can donate here. It is important to note that one should conduct thorough research before donating to any organization. For more information about NBCF, visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

Featured image by Anna Valdez.