Pretty in Pink

It's October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us and is in full swing. This is the time of the year that medical organizations work hard to educate and bring awareness to the deadly disease, and charities clamor for donations to help in the fight for the cure. And, for 2018, there are ample opportunities to show your support. But first, let's review the facts...

Examine & Educate

Since the term awareness is predominately named in the month's BCAM moniker, educating yourself about breast cancer is a must. Being armed with the facts will help you to make better decisions for yourself when it comes to breast health. So, read up on the stats to put the numbers in proper perspective, learn to self-examine each month and then make that appointment for your next screening and mammogram.

Know the Facts

  • In the United States, approximately 1 in 8 women or around 12.4% will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.

  • An estimated 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2018, along with 63,960 new cases of non-invasive or in situ breast cancer.

  • For men, about 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2018. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is approximately 1 in 1,000.

  • About 40,920 women in the United States are expected to die in 2018 from breast cancer, although morbidity rates have been decreasing since 1989. Women under 50 have experienced more significant decreases. These decreases are thought to be the result of medical advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.

  • For women in the United States, breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, with the exception of lung cancer.

  • Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2017, it's estimated that about 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers.

  • In women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African-American women than white women. Overall, African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer. For Asian, Hispanic, and Native-American women, the risk of developing and dying from breast cancer is lower.

  • As of January 2018, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

  • The risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if a woman has a first-degree relative such as a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than 15% of all women who get breast cancer have a family member that has been diagnosed with it.

 

Support the Supporters

Many brands step up in October by offering a portion of their proceeds from the sale of their products or a specific promotion. You can help raise funds for various breast cancer foundations and charities by purchasing their products. Here are a handful of brands stepping up this year...

During October, $1 from all Puff.ME sales will be donated to independent charities in support of breast cancer awareness. 

This year’s limited-edition pink tube of Aveda Hand Relief features the calming Shampure aroma and comes is an eco-conscious tube.

Olivia Garden’s Special Edition NanoThermic Ceramic + ion collection includes four different brushes that use tourmaline ion technology to hydrate the cuticle and eliminate frizz or flyaways.

Becca Cosmetics will donate $8 from the purchase price of the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Opal to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. This pearly highlighter adjusts to your undertones and amplifies the natural radiance.

The pink accented GHD Air uses advanced ionic technology and is designed for quick drying and styling while helping reduce frizz. 

Make a Donation

To show your support for others, consider making a donation to a worthy charity. According to the American Institute of Philanthropy's Charity Watch, there are a dozen organizations that are the top-rated cancer charities with an emphasis on breast cancer prevention and research: 

Breast Cancer Research Foundation 

With a mission to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research, 90% of their proceeds go directly to research and prevention programs.

National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund  

This organization has set a goal of ending breast cancer by January 1, 2020. 83% of their funds raised are for the benefit of research, detection, prevention or directly to those in need.

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners

Donating 77% of their proceeds, this non-profit works to prevent breast cancer by eliminating exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation that has been linked to the disease.

Charity Watch also gives a nod to these general cancer organizations on the list. They are involved in breast cancer research, treatment and education: Cancer Research InstituteMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterPrevent Cancer Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Stand Up To Cancer. 

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