2019 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Begins

Amelia Symons, Staff Writer

Image result for breast cancer awarenessNational Breast Cancer Awareness Month occurs every year internationally during October. The month serves as a health campaign to spread awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for further research for the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of breast cancer. 

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 as a result of the American Cancer Society and the Imperial Chemical Industries work to promote mammography as the most effective way to fight breast cancer. Each type of cancer has its own ribbon and symbolic color. For breast cancer, the ribbon is pink. The ribbon came to be pink in 1993 when Senior Corporate Vice President of cosmetic brand Estée Lauder, Evelyn Lauder, founded the The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

Throughout the month of October, many events have been organized to spread awareness for breast cancer. One of these is The National Race for the Cure. Since 1983 when the race first began in Dallas, the numbers of participants have skyrocketed and other cities have held their own races. The White House will sometimes illuminate a pink light onto its front to support breast cancer awareness. There is also an annual fundraising walk, called the Susan G. Komen Walk. It is a 60-mile walk that is split into three days and is held in seven cities around the United States. It raises money for breast cancer research. Other than the United States, countries like Brazil also support breast cancer awareness. The Palácio de Planalto, which is the official workplace of the president of Brazil is lit up in pink usually on October 1. There are also various sponsored walks throughout the world to raise money for research institutes. There are walks in Atlanta, St. Louis, and Canada. The cosmetic brand Avon also sponsors a 60-mile walk. 

One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetimes. Although there are many portals that breast cancer can come from, the most popular are radiation exposure, obesity, excess alcohol consumption, personal or family history of breast cancer, and inherited genes that increase the risk for cancer. At the age of 45, women should begin getting yearly mammograms to check and prevent breast cancer. 

Although it is not common for men to get breast cancer, it is always a possibility. As a matter of fact, the third week of October was established as “Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week.” Only 1% of all breast cancer situations occur in men. Breast cancer in men tends to have a higher mortality rate than breast cancer in women because of the lack of knowledge and awareness. 

The annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month is symbolic of how important it is to maintain your health, no matter a person’s age or gender.