[Ohio-Talk] The Pink Ribbons

[Maggie Mae]

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!

What does that mean? It’s an annual campaign to help increase
attention and support for the awareness, early detection, and
treatment of the disease.

What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant
(cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. A family history of
breast cancer and other factors increase the risk of breast cancer.
Sometimes, breast cancer is caused by inherited gene mutations
(changes).

How prevalent is breast cancer? There are about 1.38 million new cases
a year! And sadly, 458,000 men and women die from this cancer each
year.

How important are mammograms? From an anonymous source: “I went for my
annual mammogram in February. I go every year. Last year, everything
was fine. This year, within a couple of days, I received a call from
my primary doctor stating that there were some “suspicious
calcifications” and I needed a second mammogram. The second test also
showed calcifications in the right breast. Then I had a biopsy and
ultrasound done. I received the diagnosis on April 20. I never felt a
lump & neither did the doctor. I didn’t have pain, swelling, or
discharge. Nothing! If it wasn’t for the mammogram, I don’t know where
I would be right now. We thank God every day we caught it soon because
it is one of the aggressive types.”

On behalf of the Community Service committee, it is important to us to
have these kinds of conversations. Men and women from all walks of
life could be impacted. As an example, the lady I interviewed for this
article, also happens to be living without sight.

This beautiful woman wants you to know and the Community Service
committee wants you to understand. “Mammograms don’t prevent breast
cancer, but they can save a person’s life."