By: June Owens

I was only a toddler when my grandma faced a life changing diagnosis. Though I was too little to understand then, it’s a story that has been passed down as a means for awareness since that day. She was 52 years old when she heard the words, “You have breast cancer.” I cannot personally fathom the sheer emotional overload that must bring. It began a very long journey, one that forced a mastectomy in which one complete breast was removed and culminated in her remembering she was a breast cancer survivor up until she passed at the age of 92. There’s the good, the bad, and the ugly all throughout each story. One thing remains … awareness is key!

Breast cancer is a disease in which the cells in the breast grow out of control and the kind of cancer depends on exactly which cells are involved. It can begin in the connective tissue, ducts, or lobules and is said to have metastasized when it spreads to another part of the body. While there are numerous kinds that are diagnosed, the most common are…

• Invasive ductal carcinoma - These cancer cells begin in the ducts, the tubes that carry the milk supply. The cells can quickly grow outside the ducts and may affect other parts of the breast.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma – These cancer cells begin in the lobules, the glands that actually produce milk. They, too, can quickly invade and spread to other areas of the breast.

Anyone, anywhere, anytime can hear the frightful words my grandma did many years ago. Besides skin cancer (a topic for another day), breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. In fact, 1 in 8 will be diagnosed this year and a new person hears the shocking news every 2 minutes.  In addition, 1 in 1,000 men will receive a diagnosis. Knowing your risk factors and considering them in planning health care assessments is a critical step. We each have some that are simply part of who we are (unchangeable) and others are lifestyle choices that we can evaluate to perhaps minimize the outcome (changeable).

• Unchangeable
  • Genetic mutations of inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2
  • Personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • Having dense breasts
  • Being a woman
  • Being over age 50
• Changeable
  • Hormone use
  • Being overweight
  • Alcohol use
  • Inactivity or limited exercise

One thing we can all change right now is our knowledge base. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Though we think of orange and black for this month, many know it as Pink Month or even Pinktober. This color was chosen as the international symbol for breast cancer awareness and is the most widely recognized. It’s the time to come together in promoting education, screening to ensure early detection, raisings funds for research, and supporting all those affected. Here’s what you can do…

• Remember that early detection is key, schedule your mammogram, and remind your friends/family!
• Check out the many YMCA activity options at the health and wellness page and get more active today.
• Post a daily fact about breast cancer on your social media page.
• Participate in a fundraising event such as the Susan G Komen 5K – check it out here.
• Share a survivor story.

Whatever you do to support the cause this month and throughout the year, simply remember to always be pretty in pink!