"Think Pink" All Year

Cancer affects most of us directly or indirectly. October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although October is ending we can still think pink all year round. According to the CDC, breast cancer is the most common form of illness against all women regardless of race or ethnicity. On the CDC podcast, "Good News about Breast Cancer," it is stated that "invasive female breast cancer rates have been decreasing in recent years with a sharper decline occurring from 2002 to 2003."

During the month of October there were many great activities and fundraisers that took place to help raise awareness and funds for the treatment and early prevention diagnosis for Cancer patients. Many of those activities can be continued through out the year by partnering up with private organizations and our cities to hold events to promote awareness and prevention. We can do activities with our museums, libraries, schools and restaurants to continue raising funds and awareness.

BreastCancer.org offers a list of activities that everyone can be involved in as well as advice for people interested in learning about the illness. The website also offers information about screening, testing and treatment in various regions. Breast Cancer.org has doctors and professionals available to answer questions and help women make the right decisions about treatment. Dr. Hope S Pugo conducts an open conference available to everyone on the website once a month.

Another great site is BCsupport.org which is a great platform for survivors and friends to chat and connect with one another while sharing their stories. The site encourages patients to consult with Oncologists as well as physicians available to them on the forum. This website even has a daily laugh medicine with good jokes to start our day. Members are also welcome to submit their own good jokes as well. The BCSupport site states that "Humor is food for the immune system." This is very true as most patients living with cancer become overwhelmed with sadness and at times depression because of all the effects of cancer. Everyone can also select and send pretty postcards to survivors and patients courtesy of the site. The postcards are filled with drawings, cartoons and inspirational quotes. Doctors say that there are many women who do not undergo chemotherapy because of the perception that cancer and chemotherapy changes their appearance for the worst, making them feel ugly. Cancer may change the physical appearance of those affected by it but it does not make them ugly or unattractive. Most of all Cancer does not change a person. Although we tend to think our physical appearance makes us who we are that is so far from the truth. Our souls make us who we are and no matter what the cells of cancer does to a person physically, the individual will always stay the same. Having cancer does not equate to not being beautiful what makes a person most beautiful is their heart, thoughts and their intentions. Beauty is internal and it manifests externally. Early detection and treatment helps save lives.