Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By African American Author Denise Turney

Virtual walks, wearing the breast cancer pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness bracelets are just some of the ways that women and men celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are also corporate sponsorships for breast cancer fundraisers. Pink breast cancer awareness balloons, breast cancer awareness gifts and healthy food treats like fruit baskets, roasted veggies and beautiful floral arrangements are other celebration features.

Breast Cancer Awareness Facts

A women’s night out, filled with games, conversation and fun, is another October celebration idea. And, there is a lot to celebrate during the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over the years, mortality rates have dropped. And, each breast cancer survivor helps women and men see that a diagnosis doesn’t have to signal the end of life.

Yet, as far as science, medicine, families and individuals have come as it regards breast cancer awareness, there is still work to do. This is due, in large part, to the fact that 1 in 8 women living in the United States will develop an invasive breast cancer, according to Breastcancer.org.

Prior efforts, including personal awareness, may help contribute to there being 3.8 million women in America who have faced breast cancer and are alive today. This number is as of 2019. The American Cancer Society also shares that, “More than 150,000 breast cancer survivors are living with metastatic disease, three-fourths of whom were originally diagnosed with stage I-III.” Clearly, there’s evidence that research, financial support and awareness have yielded results.

Facing Breast Cancer

In addition to participating in breast cancer awareness events, including educational programs that spotlight early diagnosis (e.g. getting breast cancer in the early twenties), recurring cancer and breast cancer awareness African American events, it’s important to be there for women and men who are facing a new breast cancer diagnosis. After all, even with lower breast cancer mortality rates, it can be scary to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.

Hiding from fear doesn’t work magic. Fear that finds you turning away from what’s happening to your body, won’t improve the situation. That’s why it’s important to develop a reliable breast cancer awareness support system. For example, you might attend a support breast cancer awareness discussion group at the worship center that you attend.

Finding Help For The Breast Cancer Journey

Or, you might attend a support breast cancer awareness discussion group that’s sponsored by your local hospital or the treatment center where part of your healing takes place. Other ways to build a support system include:

• Visiting with loving and trustworthy family and friends one or more times a week – Personal connections are important to any healing. They’re also the important basics of living a very good life.
• Adding 3 to 5 telephone numbers and email addresses in your cell phone contacts of people who you can contact should you feel in need of additional support
• Practice being flexible with yourself and others
• Be patient with yourself as you journey along the healing path

Breast Cancer Awareness Fears

It might not seem like it now. But, you’ll likely need support. In fact, you may feel like you need support some times more than others. For instance, offer yourself support as you deal with common breast cancer fears. Whether you’re dealing with breast cancer yourself or are concerned about someone else who is, here are some common breast cancer fears:

• Will I receive a breast cancer diagnosis? This fear alone could keep you from getting a mammogram or even keeping an annual checkup. It may help to research breast cancer awareness, potentially reducing your fear. Your fear could lower if your breast cancer research shows that your risks of developing the disease may be lower than you’d previously thought.
• Could breast cancer treatments require surgery? And if my treatments call for surgery, will I look different?
• How will I feel during treatments? For example, you may wonder if you’ll always feel weak and tired.
• And, if I have had breast cancer before, will the disease return?

These are common fears, according to Breastcancer.org. Therefore, if you find yourself wrestling with these or similar fears, you’re not alone in what you’re experiencing. Be gentle with yourself.

Uplifting Breast Cancer Memoir

And, find ways to disconnect from worrying about the disease. You could do this by reading books that have a gentle effect on readers. For example, you could read an uplifting breast cancer memoir. In fact, a good breast cancer memoir, including a fictional breast cancer memoir that deals with real life events, could help you to see and feel that you are not alone.

Connect deeply with one or more characters in the breast cancer memoir, and you could feel encouraged and empowered to continue to work towards a healing. This could include seeking a second or third opinion about medical findings. Even more, you could feel like you have a friend who’s journeying on the path to healing with you.

Portia is one such breast cancer memoir. Set in Chicago, during the 1970s, Portia is the story of a successful defense attorney who’s finally learning to see her worth. Although she’s from a loving family, she has been in an abusive relationship for months. Just as she gets fed up with the abuse and breaks free of the ugly relationship, she meets a loving man. But, the timing seems all wrong. Because not only does Portia finally start receiving the love that she deserves, this is when she receives a breast cancer diagnosis.

Stay Motivated

Fortunately, Portia has a strong breast cancer awareness support system. And, does she ever lean on this support system. In fact, she looks to her faith, family and the love of a good man to meet the challenges of breast cancer.

At first glance, Portia seemed like just an inspirational fictional book. Then, a woman shared the story of bringing Portia to her mother as one of her mother’s breast cancer awareness gifts. Her mother was in the hospital, receiving care for breast cancer. At the time, the woman’s mother was ready to give up on her own life. There was something in Portia that she connected with. Reading Portia may have played a role in the mother being encouraged to continue her breast cancer healing journey.

And, I remember when my aunt was dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. She was told that she had months to live. She too read a book, a memoir about a woman who’d faced breast cancer in the 1970s. Reading the book gave my aunt strength to stay motivated and keep going.

Supporting Others

Just like the mother and my aunt, stay motivated. Also, make choices that support your healing. For instance, eat a diet rich with vegetables, fresh fruit and plenty of water. Get outdoors and enjoy some exercise. Surround yourself with love, including people who respect and support you. This October, celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by celebrating your successes, your forward strides.

By African American Author Denise Turney

Virtual walks, wearing the breast cancer pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness bracelets are just some of the ways that women and men celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are also corporate sponsorships for breast cancer fundraisers. Pink breast cancer awareness balloons, breast cancer awareness gifts and healthy food treats like fruit baskets, roasted veggies and beautiful floral arrangements are other celebration features.

Breast Cancer Awareness Facts

A women’s night out, filled with games, conversation and fun, is another October celebration idea. And, there is a lot to celebrate during the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over the years, mortality rates have dropped. And, each breast cancer survivor helps women and men see that a diagnosis doesn’t have to signal the end of life.

Yet, as far as science, medicine, families and individuals have come as it regards breast cancer awareness, there is still work to do. This is due, in large part, to the fact that 1 in 8 women living in the United States will develop an invasive breast cancer, according to Breastcancer.org.

Prior efforts, including personal awareness, may help contribute to there being 3.8 million women in America who have faced breast cancer and are alive today. This number is as of 2019. The American Cancer Society also shares that, “More than 150,000 breast cancer survivors are living with metastatic disease, three-fourths of whom were originally diagnosed with stage I-III.” Clearly, there’s evidence that research, financial support and awareness have yielded results.

Facing Breast Cancer

In addition to participating in breast cancer awareness events, including educational programs that spotlight early diagnosis (e.g. getting breast cancer in the early twenties), recurring cancer and breast cancer awareness African American events, it’s important to be there for women and men who are facing a new breast cancer diagnosis. After all, even with lower breast cancer mortality rates, it can be scary to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.

Hiding from fear doesn’t work magic. Fear that finds you turning away from what’s happening to your body, won’t improve the situation. That’s why it’s important to develop a reliable breast cancer awareness support system. For example, you might attend a support breast cancer awareness discussion group at the worship center that you attend.

Finding Help For The Breast Cancer Journey

Or, you might attend a support breast cancer awareness discussion group that’s sponsored by your local hospital or the treatment center where part of your healing takes place. Other ways to build a support system include:

• Visiting with loving and trustworthy family and friends one or more times a week – Personal connections are important to any healing. They’re also the important basics of living a very good life.
• Adding 3 to 5 telephone numbers and email addresses in your cell phone contacts of people who you can contact should you feel in need of additional support
• Practice being flexible with yourself and others
• Be patient with yourself as you journey along the healing path

Breast Cancer Awareness Fears

It might not seem like it now. But, you’ll likely need support. In fact, you may feel like you need support some times more than others. For instance, offer yourself support as you deal with common breast cancer fears. Whether you’re dealing with breast cancer yourself or are concerned about someone else who is, here are some common breast cancer fears:

• Will I receive a breast cancer diagnosis? This fear alone could keep you from getting a mammogram or even keeping an annual checkup. It may help to research breast cancer awareness, potentially reducing your fear. Your fear could lower if your breast cancer research shows that your risks of developing the disease may be lower than you’d previously thought.
• Could breast cancer treatments require surgery? And if my treatments call for surgery, will I look different?
• How will I feel during treatments? For example, you may wonder if you’ll always feel weak and tired.
• And, if I have had breast cancer before, will the disease return?

These are common fears, according to Breastcancer.org. Therefore, if you find yourself wrestling with these or similar fears, you’re not alone in what you’re experiencing. Be gentle with yourself.

Uplifting Breast Cancer Memoir

And, find ways to disconnect from worrying about the disease. You could do this by reading books that have a gentle effect on readers. For example, you could read an uplifting breast cancer memoir. In fact, a good breast cancer memoir, including a fictional breast cancer memoir that deals with real life events, could help you to see and feel that you are not alone.

Connect deeply with one or more characters in the breast cancer memoir, and you could feel encouraged and empowered to continue to work towards a healing. This could include seeking a second or third opinion about medical findings. Even more, you could feel like you have a friend who’s journeying on the path to healing with you.

Portia is one such breast cancer memoir. Set in Chicago, during the 1970s, Portia is the story of a successful defense attorney who’s finally learning to see her worth. Although she’s from a loving family, she has been in an abusive relationship for months. Just as she gets fed up with the abuse and breaks free of the ugly relationship, she meets a loving man. But, the timing seems all wrong. Because not only does Portia finally start receiving the love that she deserves, this is when she receives a breast cancer diagnosis.

Stay Motivated

Fortunately, Portia has a strong breast cancer awareness support system. And, does she ever lean on this support system. In fact, she looks to her faith, family and the love of a good man to meet the challenges of breast cancer.

At first glance, Portia seemed like just an inspirational fictional book. Then, a woman shared the story of bringing Portia to her mother as one of her mother’s breast cancer awareness gifts. Her mother was in the hospital, receiving care for breast cancer. At the time, the woman’s mother was ready to give up on her own life. There was something in Portia that she connected with. Reading Portia may have played a role in the mother being encouraged to continue her breast cancer healing journey.

And, I remember when my aunt was dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. She was told that she had months to live. She too read a book, a memoir about a woman who’d faced breast cancer in the 1970s. Reading the book gave my aunt strength to stay motivated and keep going.

Supporting Others

Just like the mother and my aunt, stay motivated. Also, make choices that support your healing. For instance, eat a diet rich with vegetables, fresh fruit and plenty of water. Get outdoors and enjoy some exercise. Surround yourself with love, including people who respect and support you. This October, celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by celebrating your successes, your forward strides.

Or you can support another woman or man who’s dealing with breast cancer by offering to drive them to treatments or breast cancer awareness support group discussions. Other options include wearing a breast cancer pink ribbon or breast cancer awareness bracelets during October to show your support. If you value books, you could also gift a friend, including a breast cancer survivor, with an uplifting  breast cancer memoir.

Or you can support another woman or man who’s dealing with breast cancer by offering to drive them to treatments or breast cancer awareness support group discussions. Other options include wearing a breast cancer pink ribbon or breast cancer awareness bracelets during October to show your support. If you value books, you could also gift a friend, including a breast cancer survivor, with an uplifting  breast cancer memoir.