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| | | | It means it's time to make a stand against this evil beast but before you can do that, you need to know how it operates.
In an effort to support awareness and the cause, the meaning gets lost behind billions of tee shirts and pins, baseball caps, notebooks and pens so on and so forth. "Pink for October" is about more than just spending money on printer paper in pink packaging, it's about supporting victims and survivors, increasing and spreading knowledge about breast cancer, helping the fight for a cure and doing everything in one's own power to prevent becoming another breast cancer statistic, a life irrevocably altered - even ended.
Don't just wear the ribbon - understand what it means. Don't just think pink - Live pink.
Periodically I will post information, links and even some icons here. Feel free to add anything resourceful and educational.
If you want to participate in the icon contest, head this way.
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| | | | It's important to me that people realize what Pink for October is all about. "Think pink" doesn't teach anyone anything; it becomes just something else to ignore. I really wanted to send a message and I want to do it with more than a naked chick in an icon. Don't just think pink, please! Learn what it means. Do more than be aware - be educated!
So here are some statistics about breast cancer, especially in relation to how it effects the other half. I don't care if I win. What I care about is members of this community walking away with more knowledge about breast cancer when they leave this thread. Please, please wear these icons this and every month!
  
Natali listed some great options to help people. Purchasing pink merchandise can help but it's even better if you donate directly so you can know just where your money is going and how much is doing any good. A lot of companies have jumped on the pink ribbon bandwagon but not all of them are supporting as much as they are raking in the proceeds for their own benefit.
Not only that, but encourage your friends, family and yourself to schedule a mammogram. It should be done every 1 or 2 years after the big 4-0 and is vital in cancer detection. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival because treatment can be more effective. Self breast exams can help to discover lumps and, though 9 out of 10 lumps are benign, you can never be too safe with breast cancer - the number 1 killer of women between 40 and 55.
Digital mammogram technology has increased the efficiency of detecting breast cancer so check if out; if that option is available to you, I urge you to look into it. Do not be afraid of screening or let anyone else's horror stories deter you from doing something which can save your life!
Click here daily to help someone who cannot otherwise afford a mammogram get one! October is not the only time to be aware about breast cancer; birthdays, anniversaries and mothers day are good times to encourage a woman you love to think about her health and future. You can help to save the life of someone you love if you get her a mammogram at these times.
Most of the population knows someone who has dealt with breast cancer and while the 5 year survival rate has been increasing, breast cancer still kills half a million people worldwide every year. Often, this is because people cannot afford or do not have access to mammograms to screen for breast cancer but ignorance on the subject also can help deal a fatal hand.
Don't just think pink. Live pink.
More Information/Stat Credits
National Breast Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Komen For the Cure
Imaginis
CDC
The Breast Cancer Site
Breast Cancer.org
Cancer Help
American Cancer Society
National Breast Cancer coalition
Think Before You Pink
Breast Cancer Action
Breakthrough
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Although rare, breast cancer has been detected in teenagers. Sadly, many tumors caused by cancer in young women do not have hormone receptors so anti-hormone treatments may not be as effective and young women battling this cancer have less alternatives when it comes to treatment.
Because breast tissue is denser for younger women, mammograms often are not as effective at determining tumors. This is why self breast exams are especially important and should be done periodically, about 3 times a year. Know your breasts and be watchful of any changes. If anything should arise, such as a lump, contact your doctor ASAP.
Younger women often are less educated about breast cancer, perhaps because they believe "It can't happen to me." But it can!
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| | | | What can I do to prevent breast cancer?
Plant estrogen intake, such as from soy products, in early adolescence may protect against breast cancer later in life
Exercise frequently and eat healthily. Obesity, especially in younger women, can increase the likelihood of breast cancer.
Take lots of folic acid if you frequently drink alcohol. Alcohol can increase the chances of developing breast cancer but folic acid can negate that.
Studies have found that "folate intake counteracts breast cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption" and "women who drink alcohol and have a high folate intake are not at increased risk of cancer." A prospective study of over 17,000 women found that those who consume 40 grams of alcohol (about 3-4 drinks) per day have a higher risk of breast cancer. Howeve, in women who take 200 micrograms of folate (folic acid or Vitamin B9) every day, the risk of breast cancer drops below that of alcohol abstainers - Wikipedia
Consider ovary removal if you are no longer going to have any/more children and are at high risk. This can also reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer by 96% as well as recuding breast cancer by 60%.
Having breast(s) removed - mastectomy - may also reduce breast cancer.
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| | | | How Can I Help?
Donating generally dominants most thoughts about what can be done but it's far from the only answer.
Donate to these charities and groups:
Breakthrough
Breast Cancer Action
The National Breast Cancer Coalition
American Cancer Society Donation Options
Cancer Research (UK)
BreastCancer.org
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Shop Pink
Pick up merchandise sporting the pink ribbon all through the month and at various stores during the year. Many companies are making donations to charities and research in the name of Breast Cancer awareness. However, ask yourself 6 critical questions before you make the purchase
Komen Promise Shop
The Breast Cancer Site
National Breast Cancer foundation Pink Ribbon Shop (Au)
Pink Ribbon Shop
Buying a mammogram for a loved one or participating in programs which help others get mammograms is one option.
Clicking here once a day helps women who cannot afford mammograms get them.
Take place in a race, walk-a-thon or other fundraising activity
National Race for the Cure
Race for the Cure
Breast Cancer 3-Day
Breakthrough Events (UK)
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Avon Foundation for the Cure Walk
Volunteer Your Time
American Cancer society Volunteer Form
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Cancer Research (UK)
National Breast Cancer Foundation Volunteer Form (au)
Be a Friend/Support Victims, Survivors and Family
Lend a helping hand, emotionally or otherwise, to someone who might need one. Run an errand for a friend, family member or coworker who is battling breast cancer. Shop for wigs or scarves for someone undergoing chemotherapy. Be a crying shoulder when needed. Be strong when other can't find the strength.
Komen Co-Survivor Program
Top 10 ways friends can help someone
who is newly diagnosed
1. Be available as a "crying" buddy, a safe haven for those times when a good cry is needed.
2. Be sensitive to signs of fatigue during your contact in person or by phone.
3. Keep the news of the illness to yourself unless you know that it's okay to spread the information.
4. Wait until you're invited to visit, whether it's at the hospital or in the home.
5. Send cards or short notes of encouragement at key points during the journey, e.g., surgery, start of chemotherapy, etc.
6. Stay away if you have any kind of cold or if your children are sick.
7. Ask if information is wanted before you drop off bags of books and articles.
8. Offer concrete suggestions of help rather than a vague "What can I do to help?"
9. Encourage the person to talk of their experiences, even if you've already heard them. Talking about the experience helps the healing process.
10. Support the decisions made, unless your opinion is genuinely being sought. This is not the time to introduce doubt and conflict.
- Breast Cancer Support Services
Be an Advocate/Campaigner
Breakthrough Campaigns and Advocacy Program
American Cancer Society
Take Action!
National Breast Cancer Coalition
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| | | | midnight,
i love the new Sister Thread! you are amazing! i've learned so much already.
~hugs~
natali
(Using one of Belange's "Pink" contributions) |
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| | | | | ~bumps this to the top with sinnin's new "Pink" icon~ |
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| | | | midnight,
thank you for the time and care you've displayed in raising our awareness about this important issue. your efforts have not gone unnoticed or appreciated. *ss*
*think pink by Mistress Trinna*
princess
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥
"I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman." ~Anais Nin |
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| | | | be sure to check out the Breast Cancer Awareness Icon Contest thread 
Friendship is what shows us that we are not alone in any joy or any sorrow - friendship quote by Pam Brown
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the chatter formerly known as Febby |
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