Twenty five years ago October was declared Breast Cancer Awareness month in order to educate people about the second most common form of cancer among women.
In the Philippines, an advocacy group of cancer survivors, founded the I can Serve Foundation in 1999, which is focused on high impact campaigns against breast cancer. It provides women with breast care health and information so that women can make informed decisions about their health.
Internationally celebrated as Pink October, several pink-themed events were lined up to encourage total health and wellness among women and the entire community.
Let me share with you some vital information I gathered during the informative discussions on health, wellness and cancer prevention.
Mammography is the closest exam to a guarantee the early detection of breast cancer detection. Early detection can save the lives of up to 90 percent of afflicted patients. It can detect the disease before it manifests into palpable changes on or around the breast area.
Breast cancer specialists say that misconceptions often cause women more anxiety than necessary. And in some cases, the fear paralyzes women and prevents them from seeking the care that could lead to successful treatment.
Here are some of the most common myths and facts about breast cancer.
Myth: Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.
Fact: A family history of breast cancer can increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer, but more than 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no history of the disease in their families.
Myth: Underwire bras cause breast cancer.
Fact: Rumors have suggested that underwire bras can constrict the body’s lymphatic system, causing breast cancer. This link between underwire bras and breast cancer is completely inaccurate.
Myth: Chemotherapy will always make a woman’s hair fall out.
Fact: Hair loss and other side effects of chemotherapy depend on the types of drugs administered, their dosage and the length of treatment.
Myth: Birth control pills cause breast cancer.
Fact: Even after prolonged use, studies show oral contraceptives do no cause breast cancer. Birth control pills do contain small amounts of estrogen and progesterone however, the amount of these hormones is too small to pose a noteworthy risk.
Here are some inspirational words from Cebuana cancer survivors.
“ Cancer made me truly grateful of God’s love for me, giving me time to prepared and repair which leads me to give more of myself for others for His glory.” — Fely Atienza, diagnosed November 1999
“Cancer made me see the beauty of life.” — Christie Fedilis Jamero Caballero, diagnosed June 2003
“With God, everything is possible.” — Chica Kierulf Farrarons, diagnosed February 1997
“Cancer is the most empowering gift from God.” — Filomena Sy, diagnosed March 2000
“When you discover you have cancer, you have a choice: You can prepare to die or you can prepare to live. I chose to live, not for myself but for my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, the cause and for my fellow survivors. When you share yourself with others, life begins to find its meaning . The time you touch the lives of others is the moment that you truly live. It is not the duration of one’s life but the donation of one’s life”. — Mary Anne Alcordo Solomon, diagnosed September 2004