October The Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer is a scary encounter, a topic of much importance among women of today. It is one of the common diseases encountered by women today and the fact that there is no definite cure for this deathly disease increases the need of a better awareness about the topic. It is with this in mind that many healthcare related organizations actively participate in awareness programs, particularly in the month of October, in the hope of encouraging early detection of breast cancer among women, so that the treatment options would prove more positive. Thus the month of October is considered the official month for the awareness of Breast Cancer!

The main objectives of the organizations that gear up for October are to increase the awareness of breast cancer, improve chances of early detection, raise improve treatment options, funds for breast cancer research and provide much needed support and guidance for affected families.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is the core organization which partners many foundations in the various sectors such as public services, healthcare organizations and government agencies for the cause of breast cancer awareness in October, while also providing the services of an up to date resource center (both online and live) all year round. You can visit their website on http://nbcam.org/ for widening your knowledge on breast cancer and for contributing for this valuable cause. NBCAM has proven to be a great source of information and solace to many patients, survivors, caregivers, relatives, as well as other breast cancer activist groups.

The main focus of NBCAMs activities on breast cancer include:

• Improve basic public knowledge
• Improve and provide access to treatment and detection options
• Encourage early detection by educating women about the importance of practicing regular self-breast exams and motivating them to conduct annual mammograms
  

As you all know or would have observed, one method of cancer awareness is through the popularization of wearing colored ribbons, a unique concept for stimulating active participation for the cause. Pink is the color for breast cancer! http://pinkforoctober.org/ is another awareness campaign on breast cancer, focusing on online awareness, with the theme color of breast cancer as their slogan.

Many breast cancer survivors have become active participants in awareness programs on breast cancer, with organizations such as ‘Susan G. Komen for the Cure’ (http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm) dedicated to the cause of breast cancer cure. Former First Lady Betty Ford is another such activist in the movement of breast cancer awareness, and is one of the first ‘breast cancer survivor public figures’ to raise consciousness by creating wide media coverage, along with her daughter Susan Ford Bales. Her contribution helped create a substantial impact on many awareness campaigns thereafter, which has lead to the numerous activities that occur during October in recent years, in effort of the breast cancer awareness month.

http://www.bizymoms.com/cares/breastcancer/ is another novel cause dedicated towards breast cancer awareness, providing a free online resource, especially for work at home and stay at home moms, who are the main visitors of the site. It is a new effort by Bizymoms to show that they really care for the community they belong to. Bizymoms Breast Cancer Care Section provide not only a wealth of resources, but also guidance, support and discussion forums for breast cancer affected families.

You too can play your role in supporting breast cancer patients, survivors and potential candidates, by creating awareness amongst your community.