Breast Cancer is one of the biggest and perhaps scariest health threats that women face (though some men sometimes suffer it). October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the observation of it helps to shine a light on this serious health problem. Information and understanding of breast cancer is one of the most important goals of the month.

“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important to get the message out about prevention, early detection, research, and what your American Cancer Society is doing to attack cancer from every angle,” Liz Emerick, Program Manager, Mission Delivery for the American Cancer Society’s Northeast Pennsylvania Region, told Webb Weekly.

Emerick and the American Cancer Society have provided some very interesting, and in some cases, very sobering statistics and information about Breast Cancer, and what is being done to battle and cure it.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2018, about 266,120 women are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and about 40,920 will die from the disease.

Breast cancer death rates among women declined 39 percent from 1989 to 2015, largely due to improvements in early detection and treatment.

Despite that progress, there’s much more to be done. Breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer.

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, ACS recommends steps you can take to help reduce your risk or find the disease at an early stage to increase the chances of treating it successfully.

Take steps every day to stay well from breast cancer by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and limiting alcohol intake.

If you’re a woman 40 and older, talk to your healthcare provider about the breast cancer screening plan that’s best for you. Schedule your appointment today.

If you or someone you love is concerned about developing breast cancer, has been recently diagnosed, are going through treatment or are trying to stay well after treatment, the American Cancer Society can help you find the answers you need. Contact them any time day or night at 1-800-227-2345 or via cancer.org.
Research

The ACS currently invests more into breast cancer research than any other cancer type. They fund scientists and medical professionals through 155 multi-year grants that focus on prevention, screening, and treatment advances to help save lives from breast cancer today and in the future.

They have played a key role in many of the scientific advances against breast cancer, including funding early work that eventually led to the development of life-saving therapies like tamoxifen and Herceptin.
Advocacy

Take action with the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network SM (ACS CAN) and help make fighting breast cancer a national priority at acscan.org/makingstrides.

ACS CAN is working in all 50 states to protect funding for breast and cervical cancer screening programs which provide screening, prevention, and early detection services to low-income, uninsured women.

Health Equity

The American Cancer Society is committed to saving lives and addressing the unequal breast cancer burden. We believe everyone deserves equal access to breast cancer education, screening, follow-up care, and treatment. However, some racial and ethnic minorities bear a greater cancer burden, primarily due to factors like poverty and lack of access to prevention, early detection, and high-quality treatment services.

Breast cancer death rates declined in the last two decades. However, not all women have benefited equally from this progress.

While black and white women get breast cancer at roughly the same rate, the mortality rate is 42 percent higher among black women than white women. Access to timely follow-up and high-quality treatment are key drivers of these disparities, especially in high-risk communities.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women in the US.

To help close the health equity gap, they are leveraging partnerships with corporations, community health systems, faith-based organizations, and ACS CAN to empower everyone to join and get one step closer to a world free from the pain and suffering of breast cancer.

Emerick also announced a unique event that helps to highlight awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month called “Real Men Wear Pink.”

In its first year, 23 men from our community will unite to fight breast cancer with the American Cancer Society through participation in the “Real Men Wear Pink of Central PA” campaign.

Throughout October, Real Men Wear Pink participants will encourage community members to take action in the fight against breast cancer. The 2018 candidates are: Michael Bokeko, retail store owner/Bochicchio’s, Rob Colley, Hoyers, Craig Ferringer, DiVal Safety, John Finn, Backyard Broadcasting, Jordan Foster, Lycoming College Fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, Mike McGarvey, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Lycoming College, Chris McKibben, Chief of Police, Muncy Township, Gerald McLaughlin, Dan Egly, Eric Gee, Loyalsock Township School District Administrators, Charles Greevy, Ron (CI) Insinger, Matthew Johnson, Matthew Reitz, and Preston Shellenberger, Evan Mumma Loyalsock Hotel, Manager, Steven Naylor, Financial Advisor, Muncy Bank & Trust Co., Joe Reynolds, Transport Custom, Freddie Shepperson, Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, Dave Taylor, Murray Motors, Chris Warner, Weis Markets, Regional Strategic Specialist, Zack Weaver, Harmonia Club, Michael Zicolello, Managing Attorney, Schemery Zicolello.

In addition to wearing pink throughout October to raise awareness about breast cancer, these men will be raising funds to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from breast cancer. These funds will help save lives through early detection and prevention, Innovative breast cancer research, and patient support.