November is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My aunt died in her thirties of breast cancer and though I never knew her, her death has had a significant impact on my life. You know, it’s funny, my grandmother says I look like her. Aunt Betty was, from what I understand, vibrant, full of life, and a devoted mother and sister. She died in *1954* at the age of *34*. She is still missed. I cannot express how her death from this once silent disease has affected my adult life. Please do your part to guard against breast cancer. Be a buddy, check yourself and remind your friend to do the same.

 

Every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2006, an estimated 212,920 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed, along with 61,980 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. And 40,970 women are expected to have died in 2006 from this disease. Chances are you know someone who had/has breast cancer. How has it affected your life? *

 

While breast cancer is the leading cancer among white and African American women, African American women are more likely to die from this disease.** Another little known fact is breast cancer incidence in women has increased from one in 20 in 1960 to one in eight today. This could be due to better tracking and testing, also raised awareness of the disease. ***

Please see my page dedicated to educating the public on breast cancer for causes, symptoms, and more.

Also visit these sites for more information:

http://cms.komen.org

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

http://www.breastcancerawareness.com

 

Please say a prayer for those with breast cancer today!

* American Cancer Society, “Detailed Guide: Breast Cancer,” 2006

** National Cancer Institute, “Cancer Incidence in the U.S.”

***National Breast Cancer Foundation, “Signs and Symptoms,” 2006 and American Cancer Society, “Overview: Breast Cancer,” 2006

****http://www.breastcancer.org

 

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