8 Ways To Support Breast Cancer Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (actually every month is breast cancer month), and there is an activity to suit each one of us in our support of breast cancer awareness, screenings, treatment and research opportunities. Check out these 8 that you may not be aware of:

1. Text KOMEN to 69866 for text message updates on breast cancer.
2. Learn the 8 breast cancer visual warning signs by clicking here.
3. Check out HBO Documentary, "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks" and learn of woman's mission to help uninsured cancer patients.
4. Speak Spanish? Check out Lazos Que Perduran, an initiative to encourage Spanish speaking women to get screened.
5. Talk to your employer to participate in the Susan G. Komen Promise Action Campaign where companies pledge what actions they will take to ensure their employees get screened.
6. Coordinate a Passionately Pink for the Cure Day in your office, school, or club.
7. Check out international destinations for the Komen Race for the Cure.
8. Watch 'Five" a Lifetime movie chronicling the impact of breast cancer on the lives of 5 women.
   

Importance of Early Detection of Breast Cancer

One of the most inspiring women I know is a breast cancer survivor. She is now cancer free and has dedicated her life to helping African women fight the disease. I have learnt almost everything I know about breast cancer from her. She is committed to educating anyone who will listen on the importance of early detection. I look forward to bringing you the story of Phillipa Decuir in the coming months. You can also find more information about her cause on the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa website. 

This week I thought a lot about Mrs Decuir as one of my friends found out that she has stage 4-Breast Cancer. My friend is a 37 year old mother of three young children. I have seen great faith and strength from her and I know she will fight this with everything she has. She found out something was wrong when she went for her annual well woman exam last week. I cannot emphasize enough how important your annual well woman is.

In honor of all the women who have fought and are still fighting breast cancer, lets make a commitment to make an early detection plan. This is an interactive schedule that helps remind you to schedule:

• Self breast exams
• Clinical breast exams
• Mammograms

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation the best way to fight a breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect it in the early stages. Here are some facts from the National Cancer Institute.

• Nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
• Over 30% of women are diagnosed after breast cancer has spread beyond the localized stage.
• When breast cancer is detected early (localized stage), the 5-year survival rate is 98%.

CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides access to breast and cervical cancer screening services to underserved women in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, and 12 tribes. Click here to find a screening provider near you in the US. You can also help fight breast cancer by helping to give free mammograms by just one click. 

Do You Have A Minute?

The weekend brings lots of opportunities for maxing and relaxing once all the chores and errands are done, that is.

How about you spend a little time doing something good for someone else?

Not sure what to do? The good folks at www.whatyoucando365.com have created a wonderful website showcasing pressing social issues that need our attention and what we can do about them.

What is that I hear? You don't have the time? You don’t have much money to help? The problems of the world seem insurmountable? You don't feel anything you do can make an impact?

Well, you would be surprised what you can do.

Every day, there is a new video showing you what you can do in only 1 minute to help the world. Some are even free and will cost you no money, that's right, . . . nada, zero, zip!

Click on the video archives to look for ideas to support your favorite causes, and in 1 minute (while still maxing and relaxing on your couch) you too can make a difference.

Here is one of my favorite "1 minute" ideas. Please join me. Together we can change the world.