October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Share Your Story!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) (also referred to locally as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.
As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.
How has breast cancer touched your life? What inspired you to help raise awareness?
Tell us here.
How has BC touched my life? My mom died from it, 3 of her 3 sisters have had it. I was diagnosed with it in Jan. this year. I am still completing the treatments, but almost done now!
I dont really need to raise awareness due to most of the people I see and talk to daily are already advocates!! It is amazing when someone asks you a question and you tell them that you have BC, they are really good about wanting to help out, usually cause they already know others that are affected, so you are just one more reason on their list to want to support the cause.
My mil had breast cancer and beat it but she has to go back and get checked often.
To me last yr what made me start doing this was cafemom! I look at it as in cancer is cancer. You cure one kind you can cure all. That is how I believe!
My dad died last yr from MM cancer, my mom and all her sisters have had cancer, my gm and gpa both died from cancer. It hits close to home.
My Mom was diagnosed with BreastCancer in 2001 at the age of 65. She had a single mastectomy and has been cancer free for over 8 years, now.
One of my sisters just found out two weeks ago that she has breast cancer. She is 47 years old. She and I talk daily about the decision of a lifetime she is trying to make. She is debating a lumpectomy vs. double mastectomy. Thankfully, she has always been big on research. She is talking to women who have had breast cancer and she's pounding her doctor's with questions. She is very confused at the moment.
My mom found out she had breast cancer towards the end of 2003. Though she went through lots of treatments and was told she had a good chance, she passed away mid 2004. 2 weeks before my 28th birthday. Though the type of cancer she had was very rare( the doctors used her to teach med students who were told they probably wouldn't see it again in their lifetime) I am trying to be very active in early detection and definitely the cure. I unfortunately have not had an exam beyond the basic doctors, my insurance wont cover a mammogram until I'm 35. I will always support anyone out there that has this awful illness or has lost a loved one because of it. I will do what I can to help.
My beloved Grandmother died from it in 94 after fighting the disease off and on for many years. She passed at 86. She fought it for all with all she had. Over a year ago it meant for my mammography and they found something on it but after looking at it decided it was ok, I had to go back 6 months later and it hadn't changed (thank God) and I am do to go back now for another one. I have decided that it is still there or changed at all I am going to have them do the MRI or digital scanning. I also have other cancers in my family so this adds to the scare.
I lost my mother to breast cancer over 14 year ago. Her battle was long and hard with almost 8 years of chemo. The same amount of years she had with my DD her first granddaughter. The cancer returned to the same breast that she had removed with a radical mastectomy. She was cancer free for a year and half and before that though. Her insurance wouldn't pay for a reconstruction surgery so also battled depression.
My DD other grandmother was lucky in they found a lump and she had the lump removed. She has been cancer free for 5 years now. they told her it was very rare for the cancer to return after 5 years so she is in the clear so to speak.
I forgot to say my mother was my age when she frist found her cancer. she was 44. She lost her battle at 63. Sitll very young.
With in the last 4 years I have had two aunts who've suffererd breast cancer. Both had mastectomy's, went through chemo, lost their hair and went through all the stuff that comes with treatment. In a large family of mostly women & girls I can't help but wonder which one of us are next!?
I am happy to report however, both aunts are still alive, kicking and though they are much older than me, I'd have a hard time keeping up with either! I must say we all contribute our families faith in God and prayers, to these victories. My mom & grandma both suffered & over come other female cancers.
On another note, in the Ohio Valley, where I live, breast cancer is the number one killer of women. Awareness & research are of the utmost importance. Thank you all for helping out in this very important cause.
Three things will last forever— faith, hope, and love— and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
My dad found my mom's breast cancer on their anniversary. It was their 20th. She was 37 years old. She had a very fast spreading type of breast cancer. They did a double mastectomy. She went through chemo and radiation. One thing she was always good at was educating me and sharing every detail with me. She showed me her scars. I went to therapy with her. The chemo drained her every time. After a long and hard battle, she passed away on July 17, 1997. She was 42 years old. I am now 34. I do self exams every month. I have had mammograms, even though in the U.S.- before age 40- that is nearly impossible to do. Luckily, I am a military wife. We are currently overseas and the country that we are in has great healthcare. I had a mammogram last year- got the results 10 minutes later. They had found something. I was scared to death. It was only birads III so I was told to get a repeat mammogram in 3 months. Luckily it was nothing and was gone on the next one. I will continue to be proactive in my fight against breast cancer. I will also continue to educate others about how horrible this disease is. My 13-year-old already knows how it has affected me. I just posted the poem she wrote. I hope you all enjoy it.
In loving memory of Teresa Lynne Cole, my mom, my best friend.
My aunt that had breast cancer, and had it reoccur resulting in a masectomy. She had to have chemo, lost her hair, etc. But she is still a trooper and a fighter. Never once did I see her not smile. Then and now, she still puts the happiness of others before her own. She made this trip to Disney for my DD and I possible and I will never forget that. (Disney is her favorite place in the world and she believes every child should go :)
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Meet Dodie702
This Nevada mom of two - who are just 18 months apart! - is married to her high school sweetheart and loves to craft in her free time.
BRCA 1
- CafeMom Admin
on Oct. 2, 2009 at 1:59 PM