Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness
Think pink this month!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Week happens early October. National Mammography Day falls on the 3rd Friday of October each year! Check out these Breast Cancer Facts and don't forget to schedule your mammogram!
Breast Cancer Facts
Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
About 287,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the US in 2022.
1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
Although Breast cancer in men is rare, it is estimated over 2470 men will be diagnosed each year.
It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (after skin cancer).
On average every 2 minutes a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors alive in the United States today.
Scheduling a Mammogram
According to the CDC, mammograms are the most effective way to detect breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. If you are eligible and due for a screening mammogram, now is the time to get one. You can self-schedule one without a provider by going to patientgateway.massgeneralbrigham.org.
Remember that taking the time to complete your screening mammogram is an important part of self-care. Please use this opportunity to remind your friends and family members to schedule their screening mammogram if they are due.
Visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation to learn more about breast cancer.
How to Support Someone with Breast Cancer
Practical support
Offer help with things such as cleaning, laundry, babysitting and cooking.
Many people would like to live their life as normally as they can despite their diagnosis.
Sometimes they may be reluctant to accept help, but it is crucial to be understanding and not be too pushy.
Emotional support
When someone hears they have breast cancer, they may become very emotional and experience different feelings such as anger, fear, and depression. They can also become temperamental, so it may seem difficult to know exactly how to best support them.
The most important thing is to remind them that you are there for them, and allow them to express how they are feeling.
If they direct their negative feelings towards you, remember that it is often because they are upset about their diagnosis, and not at you.
Listening to them and letting them talk about how they feel can be really helpful too.
Support for yourself
Although it is important to support them, it can become very demanding.
To be able to help and support them, you need to take care of yourself too.
If you are finding it difficult to cope, consider talking to someone about it.
For more resources and additional support, you can visit: Breast Cancer Now’s Helpline, online Forum and Someone Like Me Services. Check out this link for further resources too.
Sources:
https://www.planmed.com/press/news-main-page/october--breast-cancer-awareness-month/