October 2, 2007

No, don’t adjust the tint on your computer screen, the site is pink - in support of the Pink for October initiative to create awareness for Breast Cancer.

The concept is simple - convert your site to pink to show your support. Grab some banners and other bling and proudly display it on your site. Even register it along with those others also supporting Pink for October.

But there’s more to it than just an overdose of pink on the web. It’s to create awareness. To educate. To get involved. To make a difference.

Breast cancer statistics for 2007 are staggering (from the Susan G. Komen site):

What are the estimated numbers of new breast cancer cases and deaths for the year 2007?

• An estimated 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2007.
• An estimated 40,460 women will die from breast cancer.
• It is estimated that 2,030 men will be diagnosed and 450 men will die of breast cancer during 2007.
• In addition to invasive breast cancer, 62,030 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women in 2007.
• Of these, approximately 85 percent will be ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Source: American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2007

Those figures are alarming, to say the least. With all of the technologies available to us, those numbers should be on the decline, not on the rise. I know for certain that hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent on research by the pharmaceutical and biotech companies to develop better treatment options, including preventative vaccines.

But it takes more than medicine and science. It takes each of us to be aware of any changes within our own bodies. And it takes education - each of us owe it to ourselves to learn more. The better educated we are, the better we can help others, or ourselves. Google the web for “breast cancer” and you’ll find a wealth of information at your fingertips.

Yep. We’re going Pink for October. Are you?

Cheers.

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|  Printable version | Posted in Noteworthy, poli-socio rants, reflections, self-help | Tags: breast cancer, Noteworthy, poli-socio rants, reflections, self-help.