It's Time to Torture the TaTa's Again!

Oct 4, 2012 | Stacy Matson | Celebrity Health
It's Time to Torture the TaTa's Again!

image by: The White House

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. No more excuses! Get your pink on and help create a world without breast cancer

Started over 25 years ago to increase breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for research, prevention and a cure, the National Breast Cancer Awareness campaign has raised nearly a billion dollars but what have we learned from their efforts?

We’ve learned that every 69 seconds, somewhere in the world a woman dies from breast cancer. That’s 465,000 deaths every year.  

We’ve learned that 1.3 million new breast cancer cases are diagnosed every year.  

We’ve learned that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and less than 1 in 10 of them has a family history of the disease.

We’ve learned that American rates of breast cancer are twice that of most Latin countries and nearly three times that of Japan and China.

We’ve learned that the top risk factors for non-hereditary breast cancer are obesity, inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and delayed childbearing. And finally, we’ve learned that regular screening is the best way for women to lower their risk of dying from breast cancer.

But, there is still so much that needs to be done and during the month of October you can be a part of the cure. There are many organizations raising money to find better treatments, earlier methods of detection, and a cure. Here’s a list of some of the breast cancer awareness activities and events in which you can participate.

A Crucial Catch - NFL players and the NFL Players Association are proud to support the fight against breast cancer. Their campaign, A Crucial Catch is focused on the importance of annual screenings especially for women over 40. Throughout the month of October, all NFL games will feature players, coaches and referees wearing pink clothing, on-field pink ribbon stencils, special game balls and pink coins. All apparel worn during these games along with the game balls and pink coins will be auctioned off at NFL Auctions and all proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society and other team charities.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Reese Witherspoon is the Honorary Chairperson for the Avon Foundation and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Join Reese and thousands of people from all around the country for a two day, 39 mile journey to help raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Funding supports awareness and education programs: screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. The Avon walk is one of the largest fundraising programs in the country and has raised more than $328 million.

Right Action for Women - Actress and breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate is co-designing a “Tree of Life” pendant necklace with jewelry designer Alex Woo to raise money for her foundation, Right Action for Women. Money raised will help women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer and are either uninsured or can’t afford treatment or testing. The necklace features a tree with seven branches designed to “remind women to live every moment to the fullest” and is currently on sale at Alex Woo

Get Ur Good On - Miley Cyrus, along with the City of Hope, and Youth Service America, has created the “Get Ur Good On” contest to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Now through October 29th, contestants can take three photographs of them “doing good” and post them onto their blogs along with a description of their good deed. Youth Service America will chose four winners to receive either a Get Ur Good On t-shirt or poster autographed by Miley.

Pinktober® - Hard Rock's world-wide annual campaign for breast cancer awareness features merchandise available for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated to several organizations including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The Caron Keating Foundation.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Run/walk races sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation bring together thousands of cancer activists and supporters every year. Since its inception over 28 years ago they have contributed $1.5 billion to breast cancer research. Race for the Cure has grown to 43 5K races/walks during the month of October alone.

During the month of October The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides low-income, uninsured, and underserved women access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. And Breast Health Online has links to several low cost or free, FDA approved mammography centers near you.   

Significant progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer, yet it’s still one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers for women. When caught and treated early, there is a 96% survival rate so - No More Excuses! Get your pink on, grab a friend, get a mammogram and go volunteer somewhere! 

Originally published October 2010


Stacy Matson, a health enthusiast from Southern California, regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.

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