October may be the official Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we passionately believe that everyone can be taking steps to raise awareness about breast cancer every month of the year.
Currently, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, and 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Fortunately, over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today. My beloved Aunt Laura and many of my cherished patients are among those survivors.
Raising awareness about breast cancer is one of the most powerful ways we can increase the number of women who survive the disease. When women and their loved ones are informed and aware of the risks of breast cancer, the life-saving ripple effects include:
- More women will get mammograms, which saves lives,
- Women will not be ashamed of breast cancer and will seek treatment sooner,
- The American public will be more willing to donate, provide financial assistance, and help women obtain life-saving treatments,
- Concerned citizens will become more vocal in making politicians aware of the need to fund cancer research.
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, affecting women in countries at all levels of modernization. In recent years, we have seen a gradual reduction in breast cancer incidence rates among women over age 50, and death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990. This is in large part due to increased awareness, early detection from mammograms, and ongoing advances in treatment options.
What Can You Do?
You can join us at Knoxville’s 10th Annual Pink Ribbon Celebration on October 30th to celebrate survivors and raise funds for breast cancer patients who need financial assistance.
You can become more informed with reputable websites like Breast360.org, which has information written by breast surgeons.
You can donate or find ways to support women with breast cancer at the American Cancer Society.
You can encourage the women in your life to do regular breast self-exams at home and to get routine mammograms. If you or someone you know is underinsured or uninsured, the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides breast and cervical cancer screening to eligible women, including diagnostic follow-up tests for those with suspicious results or for women who feel a lump in their breast.
Together, we can raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year, well beyond National Breast Cancer Month.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or are wondering if you should seek a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment plan, I am happy to consult with you. I have an office at Tennova Turkey Creek in West Knoxville and an office adjacent to Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center just off of Emory Road in Powell. My extensive research and dedication to continual learning have distinguished me as a leader in the field. To learn more about my compassionate surgical care approach visit www.aaronmd.com or call (865) 692-1610.
