I was only a small child, but it still seems like yesterday when I discovered that my grandmother was missing a breast. I remember she and I in the garden picking vegetables and as she leaned forward her blouse gaped open and I noticed that one side of her chest was flat and the other full. As she leaned up, our eyes locked, but we never spoke a word.
Fast forward and I now know that she had a mastectomy because of cancer. Breast cancer has reached into the lives of those I have loved and has left some with disfigurements, and others, with no trace of its existence. Our mothers, sisters, friends, fathers, husbands, and those unknown to us might very well be dealing with this diagnosis.
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So what does this month represent? Lets break it down to create an even greater sense of awareness and compassion for those dealing with this diagnosis.
What is breast cancer?: (www.nationalbreastcancer.org)
Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. When cancer cells travel to other parts of the body and begin damaging other tissues and organs, the process is called metastasis.
Facts About Breast Cancer In The United States: (www.nationalbreastcancer.org)
Breast cancer might be touching someones life that you love right now. May we continue to unite our love, hope and awareness in the fight against cancer.
In Gratitude,
Sarah
Fast forward and I now know that she had a mastectomy because of cancer. Breast cancer has reached into the lives of those I have loved and has left some with disfigurements, and others, with no trace of its existence. Our mothers, sisters, friends, fathers, husbands, and those unknown to us might very well be dealing with this diagnosis.
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So what does this month represent? Lets break it down to create an even greater sense of awareness and compassion for those dealing with this diagnosis.
What is breast cancer?: (www.nationalbreastcancer.org)
Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. When cancer cells travel to other parts of the body and begin damaging other tissues and organs, the process is called metastasis.
Facts About Breast Cancer In The United States: (www.nationalbreastcancer.org)
- One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
- Each year it is estimated that over 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,500 will die.
- Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 460 will die each year.
- On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
- Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
Breast cancer might be touching someones life that you love right now. May we continue to unite our love, hope and awareness in the fight against cancer.
In Gratitude,
Sarah
RSS Feed
