{"id":873,"date":"2019-10-01T16:53:46","date_gmt":"2019-10-01T16:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/motherearthproductsblog.com\/?p=873"},"modified":"2019-10-01T16:53:54","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T16:53:54","slug":"breast-cancer-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motherearthproductsblog.com\/index.php\/2019\/10\/01\/breast-cancer-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Breast
Photo by\u00a0Miguel \u00c1. Padri\u00f1\u00e1n\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>from\u00a0Pexels<\/a><\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ah, October! The 1 month of the year when apples<\/a> are cooler than any other autumn produce<\/a> and Halloween treats<\/a> have a nutritional hall pass. Of course, that’s just one side of the story. If you take a look around, you’ll also see that everything (from your TV screen to billboards) is flooded with bright pink ads and images, reminding us that October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, if you’re ready to do your part and increase awareness for the generations to come, here are 6 easy ways to support the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an\ninternational health campaign that aims to increase awareness and educate\npeople on breast cancer. Affecting both men and women (but mostly women), the\ndisease accounts for more than 40,000 deaths each year <\/a>(1)<\/sup>.\nTo put these numbers into perspective, just think that 1 in every 8 women will\nbe diagnosed with the disease at some point in her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that despite its\naggressive nature, breast cancer is preventable, especially during its early\nstages – and that’s where Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes in. The charities\nand organizations involved make a legit effort to raise funds for in-depth\nresearch and a potential cure (even though there are still huge steps that need\nto be made). So, if you want to be part of something this big and protect\nyourself and everyone you love in the process, here’s what you can do to\nsupport Breast Cancer Awareness Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Ways to Support Breast Cancer\nAwareness Month<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Educate Yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not to scare anyone here, but experts <\/a>(2)<\/sup> suggest that even\nthough cancer mortality rates are declining in people between the ages of 20\nand 49, breast cancer is still going strong. In part, that’s because many\npeople are still not educated on the diagnosis and early treatment of the\ndisease. After all, women under the age of 40 and the majority of guys don’t\nget regular mammograms, and they have to rely on “manual examinations”\nfor any malicious signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, one of the first things you can\ndo to increase awareness on breast cancer is to educate yourself. From learning\nhow to check yourself through infographics<\/a>(3)<\/sup> to getting schooled\non all the facts (from the symptoms to the socio-economic factors involved),\nthere are many ways to know exactly what to do to prevent the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also worth mentioning that for\nyears now, breast cancer was considered a population-centric problem, with\nwhite women being the center of attention. These days, experts make a genuine\neffort to educate us on how the disease isn’t just a threat for white women,\nbut for every group out there, including women of color <\/a>(4)<\/sup> and guys\n<\/a>(5)<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Check in with Your Doctor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While monthly self-exams are an easy\nway to check for breast abnormalities such as lumps, swelling, and nipple\ndischarge, visiting with your doctor could also help in early detection. After\nall, there are cases when such signs don’t make an appearance, but the disease\nis well underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, make sure you get\nregular (annual) mammograms, especially if you’re at or above the age of 40. If\nyou’re younger than that, chances are your doctor won’t recommend a mammogram,\nunless you detect something really worrisome during your self-exams. Of course,\nif you’re at a high-risk group (say, if your breast tissue is really dense or\nif your family has a history of breast cancer), you should consult with him\/her\nabout early screenings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Live & Breathe Pink<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the easiest ways to support\nBreast Cancer Awareness Month is to think pink. From wearing the now famous\npink ribbon all month long to making casual pink Friday a thing, there are\nendless ways to spread awareness on the cause. You can even hand out lapel pins\non Pink Ribbon Day (October 24th, by the way) and have everyone at your work\nsport one throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, since we’re big foodies around\nhere, we have another tastier suggestion for embracing the all-pink movement: eat\nall the pink food you can get! Of course, that doesn’t mean you should indulge\nin every cute, sugary treat that crosses your path because come November, your\nwaist will hate you. Instead, stock up on a bunch of healthy pink goodies like\nthese freeze dried raspberries<\/a> or these whole strawberries<\/a>. Fighting breast cancer\nnever tasted better!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Harness the Power of Social Media<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Putting on a pink ribbon on your\nchest and hoping someone will see it is one way to get the word out. But, if\nyou really want to make an impact and reach out to hundreds of people in one\ngo, there’s no better place to start than your social media accounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Twitter to Instagram to\nFacebook, you can dedicate a heartfelt post to all breast cancers survivors out\nthere and end it with a cause-driven hashtag or cute pink ribbon emoji. You can\neven join thousands of likeminded folks and help raise money by downloading\napps, joining groups or participating in online campaigns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t know where to start? Here’s a\nshort list of a few campaigns that are worth your follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n