October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is an annual campaign to increase awareness of breast cancer. The goal is to show every woman that her life is important and to ensure that every woman has access to education, screening, treatment, support and hope.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 270,000 new cases of breast cancer and nearly 42,000 breast cancer deaths annually. Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second most fatal cancer in women.
You might also like: What is the future of breast screening?
This year, more than ever, there is a need to focus on breast cancer. Forty-two thousand people are expected to die from breast cancer in 2020 in the U.S. alone. If no action is taken, and with the COVID-19 pandemic still creating chaos around the globe, there is no saying what the impact of COVID-19 may be on breast cancer patients.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) projects that pandemic-related delays in diagnosis and treatment disruption could result in 10,000 additional deaths from breast cancer and colorectal cancer over the next ten years. In addition, researchers report that during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic and screening mammograms have decreased over 80%. There has also been a 50% decline in visits to primary care physicians. All these plus disruptions in diagnostic tests, lab work and delayed appointments are all likely to have an impact on cancer patients.
Now, more than ever, people need help getting care, staying in treatment and having access to accurate information. This campaign is designed to increase awareness, encourage research in the right direction and implement community care programmes that are designed to provide support and care to breast cancer patients. Saving lives is the goal and ensuring every woman has the support and care when they need it.
As part of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is time to encourage women to get checked, make healthy choices, and take care of their breast health. In addition, people are encouraged to make donations and support this cause so that more and more women can be offered the help and support they need.
Everyone can help by making a donation to help a woman in need. Women can improve their knowledge and increase awareness by educating themselves about breast cancer. Interested parties can also volunteer their support and join virtually to help women now. Patients suffering from breast cancer or those with loved ones battling this disease can share their stories. The goal is to spread as much information about breast cancer as possible and to ensure we are all better equipped to fight this deadly disease.
Image Credit: iStock
