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Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in American women.  Approximately one out of eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.  It would be so nice to tell ahead of time which is the unlucky one out of every eight patients.  But there is simply no reliable method to accurately predict the future occurrence of breast cancer in any one individual patient.  Everyone must understand that the individual breast cancer risk calculated by mathematical models merely refers to the group of women that the individual patient belongs to.  To calculate your risk, please refer to my website progressreportoncancer.wordpress.com.

 

The consensus opinion in the field of breast cancer research is that there is no known cause for this most common disease, with the exception of the BRCA gene, which accounts for a very small percentage of breast cancer cases.  While many risk factors for breast cancer have been identified, risk does not equal cause.  In various population studies, some clinically significant risk factors have been identified, including but not limited to first degree family history, atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), and radiation exposure.  Other population studies have reported “soft” risk factors, such as obesity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, hormone replacement therapy, previous benign breast biopsies, age at first childbirth, and others.  However, on an individual basis, there is no reliable method to predict who will develop breast cancer.  Furthermore, there is no way to determine what role, if any, a particular risk factor plays in the development of an individual’s breast cancer, with the exception of a genetic link (BRCA gene).  In an individual woman, identification of specific risk factors is absolutely not the same as identification of any cause or contributing factor to the development of breast cancer.  Therefore, if you should become diagnosed with breast cancer, you should NOT blame yourself.  Sure, you could have eaten more healthily and exercised more, but there was absolutely nothing you could do to guarantee that breast cancer would never happen to you.  The only risk factor that rises to the level of a causative role is the BRCA gene, and most certainly you could not have picked your own biological parents.

 

“It’s tough making predictions, especially about the future”, a statement attributed to many individuals before me.

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You see them everywhere from jewelry, to car magnets, to symbols on grocery products, to major companies displaying them on their advertisements. The pink ribbons show everyone that you care about and are interested in finding a cure for breast cancer. Whether you just wear a pink ribbon or you are more socially active in the issue depends upon your own personal experiences with breast cancer.

Today, prominent people in the movie industry and corporations are showing their support of many different causes. One of the more popular one, particularly for women, is the breast cancer ribbon. You will see prominent people wearing the pink ribbons on their fancy designer gowns as they walk down the Red Carpet at the Oscar’s or Emmy’s. They are not ashamed to show their fans that they care about a special topic of interest to the community.

It is rare today that you do not know someone that has been touched by breast cancer. If you are lucky your acquaintance survived the ordeal and is back to living a fairly normal life. For those of us that have lost someone close to us it is harder because we know that early detection might have saved them.

The pink ribbon is considered to be an international symbol for breast cancer-regardless of country, the pink ribbon serves a universal meaning. One of the very interest facts is that no one company, organization or foundation owns the rights to this worldwide symbol. Each company, organizations or foundation can create their version of the pink ribbon and this will give them the rights reserved on their copyright, for example Avon has its own, as does Estee Lauder. This is one the reasons why you see so many different pink ribbons being displayed.

Pink Ribbon Day is always on the fourth Monday of October. It marks the culmination of breast cancer activities during the month of October. It is recognized as breast cancer’s national day in support of awareness and research, and generates a range of activities with an education and fundraising focus. Pink Ribbon Day raises funds for research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

So, whether you have your own personalized pink ribbon that you share with friends and relatives or you are using a corporate one, you are showing your support for this very important cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each ribbon goes into breast cancer research-to help those looking for a cure for all of us.

You can help increase your communities breast cancer awareness and support breast cancer research at the same time by proudly wearing your ribbon. Each and every one of us can make a different in the fight against breast cancer. And, all you need to do is purchase a small pink breast cancer awareness ribbon. So, what are you waiting for-they are in all of the stores. Just pick one up and show your support!