Breast cancer awareness month promotes awareness and prevention
For the month of October, many organizations are joining forces with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in a campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer. According to Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of the HHS, “October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time to reaffirm our commitment to fighting breast cancer and remind ourselves of the importance of prevention and early detection.”
A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the U.S. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and the most common cancer among women in the U.S. The Avon Foundation for Women is encouraging everyone to get involved in the fight against breast cancer by commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade this year. This crusade supports research into the causes as well as the prevention of breast cancer.
Avon breast cancer programs have donated more than $780 million over the years to go towards research and care. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series has also raised more than $472 million since 2003.
This October, the HHS plans to increase public knowledge on the Affordable Care Act, which includes mammograms and well-woman visits. Sebelious explained, “Under the health care law, tens and millions of women can now get mammograms without paying a dollar out of pocket. And, starting in 2014, it will finally be illegal for insurers to deny coverage to women who are suffering from breast cancer or who are breast cancer survivors.” These mammogram screenings aid in early detection and survival rates can be nearly 100 percent if caught early and treated.
Avon encourages as many people to get involved in the awareness process as possible by creating easy ways in which to do so. The Avon Foundation for Women has created a Pinterest board in honor of those women and men who are facing or who have battled breast cancer. Pinning a photo means that the Avon Foundation will donate $5 to fund the Breast Health Outreach Program. You can also get involved on Facebook by using the “pink” your Facebook profile photo tool. You have the option to tint it pink or add a pink ribbon to show your support.