Well it is that time of year again, the leaves are coming into full color, it is getting dark earlier and I am getting up in the dark to head to work. It is also the time when you see PINK coming out everywhere. For some, it is recognition and awareness, for others it is a reminder of their own struggles. This is breast cancer awareness month and if you have followed me for long, you will understand that I am all for awareness but the pink does not exclude all the other cancers out there. As long as it brings awareness to the need of eradicating this disease, I am all for whatever method (within reason) that it takes barring that it is a merchandising technique to boost sales and no funds going to needed providers or research or cancer care. There are still those out there that aren't doing self breast exams, or getting mammograms, or seeing their health care professional when they have a lump. This goes for men and women. It also hits squarely to the family tie in that may be there but in all reality that is only between 10-15 % of the populace. Age has no regard in relationship to getting cancer and I have seen young and I have seen those that are in the later stages of their life. I have seen smokers and non-smokers, I have seen obese and even thin people as well as tall, short, average that have had or are dealing with cancer. I have see vegetarians, and those whose diet we would cringe at. There are some factors that we can change and we look at eating right, not smoking, exercise, reducing stress, limiting alcohol intake and more. There are some factors we can't change: Age,family history, race, dense breast tissue. So what do we do from here at this point and time since we are looking at cancer as a chronic disease? We help those that are facing the issues, we provide support in whatever is needed, we continue to pursue the hopes for a cure and we become education and make informed choices for our life and our monies and we remain grateful for how far we have come. Pink is only a color, I look at the person and those faces affected by cancer. If I need to buy and Item, it doesn't make me buy it because it is or isn't pink. I buy it because I need it but I do look for those that are supporting other organizations that are pursuing answers. So, bottom line, don't let pink turn you off, turn it into a positive and as always, MAKE IT A GREAT DAY! S
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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