Breast cancer awareness is the need of the hour to reduce the stigma associated with the disease. To curb the fatalities associated with the disease, it is important to make everyone aware of the symptoms, prevention and treatment options for breast cancer. Awareness campaigns focus on the fact that more knowledge about the disease will help in the early detection of disease and thus decreasing the mortality rates. Breast cancer awareness is conducted in the month of october every year. The most prominent symbol of breast cancer awareness is the pink ribbon. This is the month when funds are generated through the corporate world to carry out various breast cancer awareness campaigns and building educational and medical facilities for breast cancer patients.
History of breast cancer awareness month
In 1985, the American Cancer Society, in partnership with a pharmaceutical company Imperial Chemical Industries (now a part of AstraZeneca, maker of various breast cancer drugs), formed National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Mammography (radio imaging of breasts) has been promoted from the start, as the most effective tool in diagnosing breast cancer in the early stages. This helps prevent its progression thus reducing mortality. Pink ribbon as the symbol for breast cancer awareness, has been developed in 1993 by Evelyn Lauder, one of the senior vice presidents of Estee Lauder companies.
Various ways in which you can contribute
It has been seen that increased awareness has decreased the incidence of breast cancer patients and more and more women are turning up for mammograms. Thanks to the technology, for having dissolved all physical boundaries and making this globe a local village. Fast communication and the internet have proved to be a boon in spreading awareness to even the remote areas of the world.
You can adopt any or many of the following ways to do your bit in spreading the breast cancer awareness message.
1. Pink Ribbon
As seen above, the pink ribbon is the symbol of breast cancer awareness. Wearing a pink ribbon in this month will make people aware of the measures to be taken to fight breast cancer. You can also tag others with a pink ribbon and share the relevant information on breast cancer.
2. Participation in walks/events
It is not a walk in the fashion show that we are talking here, but walking for a cause. Many major cities in the nation, organize various events and group walks to make the public aware of breast cancer. Charitable functions are also organized in various cities, which not only make the public aware but also help raise funds for the patients of breast cancer. You too can participate in any of such activity to contribute your bit in the awareness campaign.
3. Shopping for cure
There are various organizations that sell everyday goods for a cause. They use the profit generated from the sales, in charity or for spreading awareness and help cure patients with breast cancer. Many such products like teddy bears, clothing, jewelry, mugs, candles, etc are a part of such sales. This will offer you an opportunity to simultaneously purchase the products and help spread awareness and cure to the patients of breast cancer. Gifting pink products to your acquaintances will also help you discuss and spread awareness regarding breast cancer.
4. Talking to a doctor
Charity starts at home. If you are a woman, then go ahead and shed your fear of talking about breast cancer and talk openly to your doctor and get yourself checked. This will help you get the information about breast cancer which can be used to promote awareness among others as well. You can also be accompanied by someone to a doctor so that the person could also get benefited with the information.
5. Donate your hair
Patients who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment, often suffer hair loss. You can donate your hair to a thoroughly researched organization that make wigs for these patients. You are requested to make a thorough research before donating your hair to get the right selection for donating your hair.
6. Join a non-government organization (NGO)
Almost every NGO needs volunteers to serve the purpose of their organization. You can join an NGO dedicated to spreading awareness and curing breast cancer patients. Helping others get what they want, will help you get all that you want in your life. Join such an NGO in this month and feel the difference and transformation in your soul.
7. Listen generously
In this busy life, no one has got time to listen to another person. The most important gift that you can offer to any other human being is a friendly listening ear. Either alone or in collaboration with some charitable organization, you can listen to the patients of breast cancer, their survival stories, their grief. This alone can alleviate their pain to a great extent. Just give it a try.
