1 CommentHello Girlfriends – this is your reminder that October is breast cancer awareness month. So if you are due for your self-breast exam or mammogram, now is the time!
Since my latest memoir, Healing With Words was released in June and also because I am a registered nurse, I cannot resist promoting health awareness. For those of you who journal, you might want to pick up a copy of the book, available on Amazon and bn.com as there are many journaling prompts and resources. In addition, the author proceeds are donated to the Mayo Clinic.
SOME FACTOIDS
- If you are 40+ you should have a screening mammogram every year unless it’s suggested more frequently
- Avoid scheduling a mammogram when you have tender breasts, i.e. the week before your period
- Do not wear deodorant or powder when going for your mammogram
- Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a their health exam. This should be done at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer
- The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 35 (about 3%)
- About 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women each year
- About 54,010 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer)
SOME ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORT GROUPS (from Healing With Words)
American Breast Cancer Foundation
(877) 539-2543
American Cancer Society
(800) ACS-2345
BreastCancer.org
The Breast Cancer Fund
(415) 346-8223
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
(800) 221-2141
California Breast Cancer Organizations
(530) 304-2746
www.cabco-org.us
Cancer Network
Cancer Research Institute
(800) 99-CANCER
Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Center
(443) 287-2778
International Cancer Alliance
(301) 656-3461
Lance Armstrong Foundation
(877) 236-8820
www.livestrong.com
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
(888) 753-5222
www.lbbc.org
Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer
(410) 778-1982
National Asian Women’s Health Organization
National Breast Cancer Coalition
(202) 296-7477
www.stopbreastcancer.org
National Cancer Institute
(800) 4-CANCER
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(888) 644-6226
National Cancer Coalition
www.nationalcancercoalition.org
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
(888) 650-9127
National Women’s Health Network
(202) 682-2640
www.nwhn.org
Native American Cancer Research
(800) 537-8295
www.natamcancer.org
Office of Minority Health Resource Center
(800) 444-6472
www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov
OncoChat
www.oncochat.org
Patient Advocate Foundation
(800) 532-5274
Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
(866) 569-0388
www.dslrf.org
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
(877) 465-6636
Cancer Support Community
(888) 793-WELL
Young Survival Coalition
(877) YSC-1011
Here’s to your health!
Have a great and remember whatever your experience, make sure to write about it in your journals and notebooks!
Cheers,
Diana
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