Caring Beyond October

This month we celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness by sharing stories, expert advice, and information on where to call if you have questions about cancer or cancer screening. But beyond October, we can continue to raise awareness and support those fighting and recovering from the disease.

As a reminder, prevention is key with regular self-exams to be familiar with your own normal breast tissue, regular physical exams by your doctor, and mammograms. Additionally, being consistent with healthy eating, moderating alcohol consumption, controlling stress, and not smoking are other actions shown to reduce cancer risk. Additionally, continuing to raise awareness by talking about risk behaviors may help inform others that are unaware of risks.

In the months ahead, outreach to those you know fighting cancer with notes of encouragement and support, listen to them, offer transportation to doctor visits, and educate yourself on the disease. Be active by participating in a run/walk, be an advocate and write your congressperson to support healthy ingredients in foods, products, and mitigate environmental pollutants that can cause cancer. Donate to research and volunteer for events and other community awareness programs. These are all actions we can all take year-round.

Anyway you choose to support breast cancer awareness, or support someone you know with breast cancer, a small effort can have great impact.