Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is a month of many celebrations: Halloween, the weather getting colder… and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons can be seen in many places, displaying support for survivors and women currently battling breast cancer. Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the U.S. and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

Breast cancer occurs when cancer cells form in breast tissues. It is unique because it is the most common cancer overall. There are 240,000 breast cancer cases in the US per year out of one million cancer diagnoses overall in the U.S. The graph shows all the cancer cases in a year. 15% is all cases of female breast cancer diagnoses, while 85% shows all other cancer diagnoses of every kind. The total number of yearly diagnosed cancer cases is 1.9 million, which means 285,000 of those are breast cancer diagnoses.

While some forms of breast cancer can be hereditary, it's always good to be safe and check. You can get checked for breast cancer through mammograms, ultrasounds, or breast MRIs. These tests can help to check your safety or help identify the cancer in its early stages and get treated quicker. USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force) with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)recommends that women who are 50-74 years of age are at an average risk for breast cancer and should get mammograms every 1-2 years, and women at 40-49 years of age should talk with their doctors about when and how often they should get mammograms.

A symbol that goes along with Breast Cancer Awareness is the iconic pink ribbon. In the early 1990s, a woman named Charlotte Haley--who had many family members that battled breast cancer--handed out handmade peach ribbons and cards that read, “The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, but only 5% goes to cancer prevention. Let’s wake up our legislators.” Self Magazine then later convinced her to change the ribbon color from peach to pink in 1992. 

A famous cosmetologist in her time, Esteè Lauder, then shared the ribbon along with Breast Cancer Awareness and made it a popular symbol. “The Pink Ribbon symbolizes hope and community for many who have been impacted by breast cancer”, states Candance Day from the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Many breast cancer survivors had come up with the saying “Be More Than Pink,” which shows how just the color pink and ribbon doesn't show the whole story of someone with breast cancer. Three cancer survivors, Vannesa Crowe, Lisa Hill, and Dianne Thompson, all have stories and experiences past the ribbon. Breast Cancer Awareness, the pink ribbon, who helped them during their treatment, and what they are thankful for in daily life all are unique to them. 

 Vannesa Crowe: To me, Breast Cancer Awareness is a reminder for women to get their Mammograms and for breast cancer survivors to celebrate life! The Pink Ribbon is significant to me, as my daughter-in-law made me a Pink Ribbon blanket that comforted me during my Cancer Journey. I had many Angels during my cancer journey, but the one that was most helpful was my husband. He gave me a shower and washed my hair when I could not raise my arms after surgery; he was there for me during every step of my journey. Every day is a gift! I am most thankful for my family and the time I am gifted to be with them. I get to see my oldest granddaughter swim and march in the band. I was able to be there when my youngest granddaughter was born, then to hear her sing “Jesus Is My Best Friend,” and now to see her play soccer. So far, I have been gifted with 11 years and I pray I will still have many more.¨

Lisa H: Breast Cancer Awareness brings information about the disease of breast cancer to the attention of men and women who have the mentality of “it can’t/won’t happen to me.” My hope is that the Breast Cancer Awareness will change lives by reminding women how important it is to watch for signs in their own bodies, and to take advantage of screenings that could save their lives. In my opinion, the pink ribbon has a threefold significance: It represents a sign of support for those dealing with the effects of being diagnosed with breast cancer, a sisterhood for women who have survived, and a memorial to those who passed away. 

I was blessed to have had a lot of help and physical support from my husband (Clyde Hill), and my two daughters (Ashley Crowe and Paige Orlando); I know what helped the most were the many prayers said on my behalf. Clyde knew a lot of people on his route and a Mennonite community he delivered to, and he had their school children handmake “Get Well” cards and send them to me. I still have those. 

Ashley and Paige had their FCA groups pray for me, I had friends put me on prayer lists at their churches and would get cards and prayers from people that I didn’t even know, along with the prayers from those that went to my church. 

Knowing that not all breast cancer patients survive for twenty years like I have, I’m thankful every single day that I am blessed to see my daughters happily married and was able to witness the birth of my five grandchildren, retire with my husband and that I am healthy enough to actively be involved in my families lives.

Dianne T: It shows me support from people I don’t know. The pink ribbon means Breast Cancer and tells me that person or someone in their family has had breast cancer. My husband was doing chemo himself so he was not able. My mother would take me to the doctor, then to the hospital for chemo treatments. I spent the night there each time while the medicine dropped through the lines. My mother would stay ‘til around 2 p.m., then she went home. Around 7-8 p.m., my sister, Karon, came and spent the night and brought me home the next day. My workmate helped keep the office running while I was out. Now, 20 years later, I thank the Lord for each day I wake up. I got to be here when four grandsons joined the family. I am proud to enjoy life with a great family.

These women have overcome the unimaginable, and they show the people around them love every day. These are only three of the many women who have overcome breast cancer; there are many, many more out there. Those who battle breast cancer are courageous and strong. Always look out for yourself and anyone else who could fight breast cancer. 

-Riley Crowe

News Writer