October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

5 Thing You Can Do to Help Bring Awareness

Throughout October many unite in the awareness-raising efforts focused on breast cancer. It’s a disease that one in eight women will be diagnosed within their lifetime. It’s estimated more than 250,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 40,000 will die from it. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women. But let’s also focus on a positive: there are more than 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the country.

Increasing the odds of surviving breast cancer is about early detection. Much of the efforts during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the encouragement of undergoing breast clinical exams and mammograms. On the following page are 5 great ways to help spread that message!

1.  Educate Yourself and Others

There’s a lot of misinformation about breast cancer and common knowledge about breast cancer that isn’t actually accurate. Having the wrong information, or not having the information at all, can stand in the way of women receiving the care that they need.

Stay informed and seek out accurate information about breast cancer. However, it’s important to examine online health information critically. Is the information coming from a reliable source? Are the findings current? Check multiple sources to see if the information agrees.

Doctors and nurses are your best resources for reliable health information. If you have questions about your personal health, or even just questions about health in general, medical professionals provide accurate, reliable information. Reach out to your doctor’s office if you have questions about breast health.

2.  Bust Out That Sassy Pink Mask

Rep pink all month long. Whether you have some pink-laden outfits or sport a rockin’ pink sparkle mask, pink gets the conversation about breast cancer started. Engage with your family, friends, and coworkers and tell them WHY you’re wearing pink. This is the simplest way to become part of the awareness-raising movement.

3.  Use Your Voice For Good on Social Media

Social Media is an incredibly useful tool for discussions and spreading stories. Use your platforms to access the network of family, friends, and coworkers you’ve built and promote breast  cancer awareness. Survivors can create a post about their breast cancer journey, you can encourage others to go get a mammogram, or even just have a general discussion about the disease. Make sure to use the following hashtags when posting to share stories and increase awareness:

#breastcancer     |     #breastcancerawareness     |     #breastcancersurvivor     |     #brca1     |     #breastcancerprevention          #breastcancerwarrior     |     #kcbreastcancer     |     #kcblogger     |     #bracouturekc

4.  Get More Directly Involved!

There are numerous events and charities in the KC Metro you can donate your time or money to in the fight against breast cancer. Tackling breast cancer requires an exorbitant amount of time and funds – if you have extra of either you can become an incredible weapon against breast cancer! Whether you volunteer or donate money, know your efforts are appreciated and useful. 

5.  Schedule a Fun Girls’ Day Out Mammogram Party!

We all know these tests aren’t fun. They’re uncomfortable and annoying. But just because that 20 minutes is dreadful, doesn’t mean the whole day has to be. Grab your girlfriends and make a day out of it! Go to lunch afterwards at your favorite spot on the Plaza (on the patio of course!) or go to a day spa for a relaxing massage. NOTE: If you are a woman over 40, you should be getting a mammogram every year. The Breast Center, The American Medical Association, the National Cancer Institute, the Society for Breast Imaging, the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Radiology all recommend annual screening mammograms for women 40 years of age and older.

The fight against breast cancer needs grassroots action and awareness is a catalyst to that action. Let’s inspire each other, spread the message and strive to make change. Tell your story and tell others to get a mammogram. Breast cancer touches all of us in some way so let’s unite together and promote awareness this month. 

Here are few great ways to get involved locally

Susan G Komen 2020 Komen Kansas and Western Missouri Virtual MORE THAN PINK Walk

Saturday, October 24, 2020

During these unprecedented times – this group knows they must create impactful and responsible experiences for their committed supporters. They have always been more than just a walk and much more than one day. They are excited to launch the continued evolution of the 2020 MORE THAN PINK® Experience this fall on October 24 with a LIVE Broadcast Event across Kansas and Western Missouri. Now, more than ever – your commitment is needed to ensure they can deliver on their mission to #EndBreastCancerForever. With that – the MORE THAN PINK Experience will look a little different this year.

Mobile Mammography Events

For more than two decades, Diagnostic Imaging Centers, P.A., and Susan G. Komen have partnered to help save lives and end breast cancer forever. Their relationship with the breast cancer community is nearly unmatched and has proven critical to the success of their affiliate over the years.

With the addition of the region’s only 3D Mobile Mammography Coach, DIC and Komen Kansas & Western Missouri are expanding their partnership through the provision of cutting-edge screening technology. The Mobile coach, DIC, and their staff continue to prove they are More Than Pink by bringing life-saving services directly to those who need them regardless of their ability to pay full market rates.*

The Mobile Mammography Coach has a full calendar each month. For more information please see Diagnostic Imaging Centers’ mobile mammography pages at www.mobile3dkc.com

Bra Couture KC

This signature annual event is a unique and fun auction and runway show featuring cancer survivors modeling eclectic couture designed bras to celebrate their triumph over cancer. A tribute to survivors’ fighting spirit, Bra Couture KC donates funds to Kansas City service providers, such as the University of Kansas Cancer Center and their safety net hospital, Truman Medical Center, who support uninsured/underinsured men, women, and children touched by all cancers and has raised close to $3M in the past eight years. 

They raise funds for uninsured/underinsured cancer patients in the greater Kansas City area who cannot pay for their cancer supplies such as cancer medication, transportation to treatment, prosthetics, wigs, surgical supplies, lymphedema services and garments, and their basic life expenses during treatment. Serving men, women and children touched by all cancers, their annual event uniquely celebrates breast cancer survivors to raise funds for Kansas City area organizations who are aligned with their mission. Learn more at www.bracouturekc.com