Five Real Ways to Help End Breast Cancer

Have you every gotten that walking woman email? It's a cool piece of programming code that shows a moving woman drawn from text characters. Supposedly, she's walking to end breast cancer, and the recipient is encouraged to forward the mail to everyone she knows. But forwarding a walking woman isn't going to end breast cancer. It isn't even going to reduce its incidence. But here are a five things you can do that will.

Every 13 minutes someone dies from breast cancer. But when it's detected early, it can often be cured before it kills. October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, is a great time to spread the word about preventing, detecting, and treating breast cancer. Here's how you can help yourself and others:

* Start testing. Women should do a breast self-exam each month, about a week after their period ends. If you don't have a period, the just do it once a month. Regular examination may detect breast cancer, so that you can begin treatment early. Early detection saves lives.

* Start scanning. Women over age 40 should get a mammogram every 1-2 years. Schedule one with your physician today. If you have Medicare, Medicare will pay for most of the cost of a yearly screening mammogram. There may be other low- or no-cost programs in your area. Ask your doctor. Early detection saves lives.

* Start clicking. Each time you click the big pink button at thebreastcancersite.com , you will help low-income women get free mammogram. Click now. Click daily. This is a click-to-donate site which uses advertising revenue for charitable causes.

* Start moving. The Susan G. Komen Foundation sponsors over 100 walks, runs and races to raise money for breast cancer research. Get some exercise and do some good while you participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day or the Race for the Cure. Call 1-800-996-3DAY to get more information. These are two great ways to get some exercise (which is thought to reduce rates of cancer) and make a positive contribution as the same time. By participating in these walks and runs, you'll not only be helping others, you'll be helping yourself.

* Start sticking. Use the breast cancer stamp from the US Postal Service. This stamp has raised more than $37 million for breast cancer research. 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense. It costs just 45 cents. Affordable!

If you need more information on breast cancer call 1.800 I'M AWARE (1.800.462.9273) Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5:00 pm Central Time (TDD available). Do what you can to fight breast cancer, and spread the world to others. Your work will go a lot farther than the walking woman. Now that's an email worth forwarding.

"Truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it." -Flannery O'Connor, writer (1925-1964)