In case all the pink packaging on store shelves hasn’t clued you in, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last October, I had the priviledge of being involved in a breast cancer awareness project put on by one of my clients. Previously, I’d never been one to support medical causes. It’s not that I’m opposed to research and finding cures, it’s just that no particular disease had really impacted me enough to push me to learn more.
That changed when I read about Lisa Hardiman, Co-Owner of Let’s Dish! in MD and VA. It was Lisa’s experience with breast cancer that caused Let’s Dish! to start their Pink Dish! Campaign in 2007. This was the first time I actually knew someone affected by this disease… someone I could identify with.
While creating the marketing materials and web site for the Pink Dish! Campaign, I got to read countless stories contributed by Lisa and other people who were affected by this disease. For the first time, I got a *real* glimpse into the lives of breast cancer survivors. Reading about women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s caused me to do some research on my own. What I found surprised me. Using an online breast cancer risk calculator, I found I currently have a 15.7% chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer during my lifetime. Most studies show the average woman has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed.
What does this mean? Count up your mom, sister(s), and enough friends to equal 8 women… and figure at least one of them will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Scary, isn’t it?
So what can we do?
- Get educated about the risks and signs.
- Raise funds for research.
- Be proactive, especially if you have certain risk factors. (Read this story about a Gossip Girls producer who had a preventative mastectomy after her mom had breast cancer.)
- Support those affected. The Red Devils is a non-profit supporting Marylanders affected by breast cancer. Also, Let’s Dish! has continued the Pink Dish! Campaign for 2008.
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