October of each year is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States.

I have always felt that it is important to highlight this month of awareness of this very important subject each year.

Breast cancer is a horrific disease that will strike hundreds of thousands of women this year. It is the leading form of cancer in women in the United States and many of us have been personally affected by it. It threatens our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and friends.

While the American Cancer Society predicts that one out of nine women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, it can simply be said that every woman is at risk for developing breast cancer.

Although there are statistics that state that breast cancer is on the rise, more women than ever are able to claim that they are breast cancer survivors. In fact, if the cancer is detected early, the breast cancer survival rate is as high as 93 percent.

Presently there is no known prevention for the disease, but as the above statistic shows, early detection is the key to the survival of breast cancer. This means that the best method to early detection and survival of breast cancer is via self-examination and mammograms.

Fewer than half of women age 40 and older in the United States has regular screening mammograms. This simple procedure, recommended every three years for women aged 20 through 40, and every year after age 40, can reveal breast cancer up to two years before it can be felt in a self-examination.

There are many groups throughout this country dedicated to breast cancer awareness, advocacy, and prevention. They can provide information pamphlets, locations of support groups, referrals to medical facilities, telephone counseling with breast cancer survivors, and even be able to tell you about low-cost or free mammography programs. I would like to share with you the names and contact information of just a few of these many groups in the hope that you, or someone you care about, can benefit from it.

• Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization 1-800-221-2141
• The American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345
• The Cancer Information Services of the National Cancer Institute 1-800-4CANCER
• The Susan G. Komen Alliance 1-800-I’M AWARE

There also may be an organization in your community that provides the same types of services. I would suggest that you check your local telephone directory or ask your doctor for the location of those groups.

Through the many billions of dollars committed each year through federal and private funds for research and prevention efforts there continues to be very promising news and developments regarding the fight against breast cancer.  However, in spite of the promising news, thousands of our mothers, daughters, wives, and friends continue to battle this horrific disease that strikes at their bodies and souls.

My prayer is that we will someday be able to eradicate all forms of cancer.  But, until that day, we must take charge of our health through early detection and treatment.  So remind those you love to take charge of their health through regular self-examinations and check-ups that include mammograms.

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