Laura Gonzalez, Spring 2009 Assistant Managing Editor
Approximately 40,000 women and 450 men die each year of breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Cancer does not discriminate and breast cancer is not the exception.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, secondary only to lung cancer.
As national breast cancer awareness month approaches, it is important to take a moment to think about how breast cancer affects us and what can be done to prevent it
Awareness means to become conscious and alert. Become conscious that this disease could be nearer than suspected and become alert that there are many steps to stop it.
National breast cancer awareness month was established over 20 years ago and it is celebrated in October each year. The organization has been dedicated to fight against this disease.
The first and most important step toward breast cancer prevention is early detection. The survival rate of a person that has been diagnosed with breast cancer in its early stages is 97 percent.
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a doctor examined them every three years and women in the 40s or older should have a doctor examined them once a year.
It is also important to have a good and balanced diet, limit the consumption of alcohol and stop smoking.
Once breast cancer has been diagnosed the treatment consists in surgery and then radiation and chemo which have side effects like pain, decreased appetite, nausea and depression among others.
Depression and mood swings are common among women that are battling breast cancer due to the powerlessness that many of them feel.
There are many organizations that are engaged in the fight against this disease as well, and that every year organize walks and events to collect funds to help research cures for it.
One of the biggest walk is the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in which 9 cities from the country participate including Los Angeles and which has raised over 150 million dollars in the 5 years that has existed.
Here are some of the websites for anyone who would like to get more information or contribute to this noble cause.
www.nbcam.orgwww.breastcancer.orgwww.avonwalk.orgwww.komen.org