For everyone who thought breast cancer was strictly for women, think again. I am not denying the great devastation that breast cancer has on women. I am only trying to tell the men out there that they can be affected too. The month of October is breast cancer awareness month, and people should wear their pink ribbons proudly, in support of those who have it. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. About 215,990 women will be diagnosed with the disease in 2004.
And 1,450 men are expected to be hit by this cancer.
Unfortunately, approximately 40,000 women and 470 men will die of breast cancer in 2004. Breast Cancer is the second highest cause of cancer related death among women, while lung cancer is the first.
Between 1990-2000, early detection has reduced the amount of breast cancer patients by 2.3%. Women need to see their physicians once a year and have a clinical checkup to make sure nothing can be physically felt. In most cases a woman does not get cancer until after she turns 40 years old or after menopause. Mammograms are recommended for these women so they can have early detection of the cancer and a great number of treatments available.
Breast cancer is a very hard thing for a woman to deal with. Physically there is a chance that if the cancer is not detected early enough then the doctors may have to remove the breast to get all of the cancer out of her body. From woman to woman one can only imagine how that must feel.
But early detection can prevent this from occurring. For those women who have survived breast cancer, we congratulate you with big smiles and hugs. For those of you who know someone with breast cancer, tell that person that you love them and that you will support them.
For those young girls who think nothing could ever happen to you, go get checked, either by your regular physician or your gynecologist. Even you guys out there should be checked during your yearly physicals to make sure everything is okay.