October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And while building awareness is important, we all know that actions matter. What really drives progress is when we take action in support of breast cancer patients and survivors.
Here are six ways we are taking action to build awareness and show our support:
Wearing pink in October
Including just a little dash of pink to your wardrobe could help raise awareness for breast cancer. It also shows support and solidarity with patients and survivors.
Sporting our Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons
This is a pink ribbon that is recognized internationally as a symbol of breast cancer awareness and expresses moral support for those battling the disease.
Donating
Almost all breast cancer charities welcome donations. Even small contributions can add up to big strides in helping cancer patients and survivors. For a list of organizations you can support, check out Charity Navigator’s vetted list.
Educating ourselves
Anyone can get breast cancer. It is important for everyone to know how to recognize the warning signs; early detection dramatically increases the survival rate.
Volunteering
Volunteering your time to organizations that help patients with breast cancer is another way of helping women and men prevent, battle, and survive breast cancer.
Directly funding research initiatives
Research is vital in finding a cure, methods of prevention, and treatment options that are most effective for cancer patients. The work that researchers do relies heavily on donations and contributions. Look for organizations that focus on research and see what donation options they offer.
Did you know …?
- Although not as common, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Breast cancer comes second, only behind skin cancer, in leading cancer deaths in women.
- Women who either started menstruating very early or underwent menopause very late in their life are more at risk of getting breast cancer because they have been exposed to progesterone and estrogen for a longer period of time.
- Exercise is a great activity to reduce breast cancer risk.
- Breastfeeding for more than a year can reduce your chances of getting breast cancer.
Battling breast cancer can be tough on everyone affected. Treatment can be physically strenuous, as well as taking an emotional and financial toll. During the month of October and throughout the year, Ecoprint is proud to help spread awareness, lend support, and show our solidarity with those fighting breast cancer.
In Support,
Bobby Firestein