Are you wondering why gobs of buildings are illuminated pink…and why there is a proliferation of pink ribbons every (f-bomb) where? Well, it is because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Prior to my personal experience with FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers), I knew about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month only from the illuminated buildings and omnipresent ad campaigns…then it became personal when on October 15, 2010, I was diagnosed with FBC.
Even though I’m not much of an awareness campaign person (and have a gag reflex when I see a pink ribbon – sorry, but it’s true!), I recognize the value of them.
The truth of the matter is that when it comes to influencing consumer behavior, the more times a message is heard, the more likely it is to have an impact. The same is true when it comes to influencing health behavior. That’s why public health agencies and non-profit organizations often work together to support monthly health awareness campaigns.
So, that’s why there is and will continue to be a whole lotta pink this month.
To begin the month, first please allow me to say that I’m so, so, so sorry if you or a loved one has been touched (knocked out is probably a better description) by this f-bomb disease. Secondly, finding information about it can be, well, daunting (to say the least). So, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some of my favorite sources for information:
- American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): www.acog.org
- American College of Radiology (ACR): www.acr.org
- The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): www.asco.org
- The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA): www.amwa-doc.org
- AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation: www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation
- BREASTCANCER.ORG: http://www.breastcancer.org/
- CancerCare: www.cancercare.org
- Men Against Breast Cancer: www.menagainstbreastcancer.org
- National Medical Association (NMA): www.nmanet.org
- The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS): www.ons.org
- Prevent Cancer Foundation: www.preventcancer.org
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure: www.komen.org
When you go to these sites, I know that there is soooooooo much information. Even as a nurse, when I was sick, I found myself overwhelmed on a daily, if not hourly basis. Come to think of it, I was overwhelmed with the thought of making (and then eating!) a piece of toast. Trying to navigate a site with so much can be very challenging.
Please know that if you ever have questions…or need gentle guidance, I’m here to help (to the best of my ability). The Silver Pen community continues to inspire me ever single day which is one of the (many) Silver Linings in my life. I am so grateful to you, dear readers, for your support, encouragement, questions and input. I look so forward to hearing from you!
October is a meaningful month for you as that is when you received your F-bomb breast cancer diagnosis, and coincidentally it is BC Awareness month. It is also my birthday month, the 16th, and I always have my annual mammogram scheduled for October. That is when my tumor was found in 2002, and my diagnosis that it was indeed FBC was given me on Nov. 13 after biopsy results were complete.
There is always a Susan Komen Race for the Cure in Omaha in Oct., and also a breakfast for survivors and their guests at Harrah's Casino Convention ballroom. They usually have a wonderful program and entertainment for the event. Sylvia McNair, talented vocalist and BC survivor herself, was featured a couple years ago. She was wonderful! (I hope the planning committee ask her back.)
Also my 13-yr-old grandson shows his support by wearing pink socks for his October football games. I am assuming he will do so again; he has the poise to carry it off.
Wishing you a happy October, Hollye. 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolee. I love that this is your birthday month…and the fact that your grandson wears pink socks is SO COOL! Thanks for sharing!
I agree the navigation through websites is daunting and scary at times….. good to only read the best sites, so thank you for this. Also, I'm a colon cancer survivor and I've always thought how 'lucky' FBC patients are for all the money, advocacy, research, awareness campaigns and information available. Colon cancer has some, but I do feel for those with such rare or even deadly cancers that little information or advocacy exists. With that said, we all benefit from all the breast cancer research, because all cancers have much in common. I'm very grateful for it!!!
What an interesting and powerful reflection, Kim. I really appreciate it! Hope you're feeling well!
I was diagnosed a year ago and had a bilateral mastectomy last October. My Mother died from BC in October many years ago. I was always proud to buy "pink" to honor my Mom. Now that I know how much money raised goes to awareness and how little goes to research I am almost ashamed. Please make sure your readers, if they contribute, know what their money is going towards. We need a cure.
Thank you so much for your comment, Cindy. You're so right that we need a cure. …NOW.
I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your mother and about your diagnosis. Sending my very best wishes to you!
Hollye