October has always been synonymous with the Halloween spirit, but it is also a very important month for women all around the world.
"Pinkwashing" in your local businesses has been criticized for being, "passive" and "superficial" (Huffington Post); but ultimately the power of bright pink, positive thoughts and actions have reclaimed the dark and scary October days.
Did you know: One in eight women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I Bar Inc has decided to donate 1/8th of every purchase on Wednesday, October 24th 2012, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In addition, if you come into our Emeryville, Menlo Park, or Walnut Creek locations wearing pink--you can get double credits on your threading punchcard!
Doctors and scientists are trying to discover how and why certain changes in DNA cause normal breast cells to become malignant and develop into cancerous tumors. Although they do not yet know the cause of breast cancer, there are recommendations to help prevent breast cancer and promote early detection including regular breast self-examinations, clinical check-ups & mammograms.
Know the risk factors:
- The highest risk factors are being female, aging, and physical inactivity
- Menstrual history: if you began menstruating before age 12 or completed menopause after age 55
- Family history of breast cancer
- Your risk increases slightly if you are currently using the pill or have in the past 10 years
- If you have never had children or had your first child after age 30
- If you consume one or more alcoholic drinks a day
- If you are overweight; especially after menopause
- If you have been exposed to Chest radiation therapy as a child or young adult
- If you carry the genetic mutations BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Post menopause hormone therapy can increase your risk
- High breast tissue density: this is a mammographic measure of the amount of glandular tissue relative to fatty tissue in the breast
Know the symptoms:
- A new lump or mass
- A hard mass with irregular edges that is painless
- Discharge from the nipple - NOT breast milk
- Redness or pain in the nipple, or on the breast skin
- Nipple retraction (turned inward)
- Swelling of the breast that is generalized with no distinct lump
Know the statistics:
- Men - an estimate of 2,190 new cases will occur in 2012, with 410 deaths
- In 2012 the American Cancer Society estimates that 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer (stages I-IV) will be diagnosed among women in the US, with 39,510 deaths--roughly one death every 13 minutes.
- Only 5% of breast cancers diagnosed are Stage IV (metastasized)
- In the United States a woman will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (on average) every 2.3 minutes
- Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer
- 1 of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
Merchants and retailers across America have adopted October as Breast Cancer Awareness month and raise millions of dollars to support Breast Cancer Research charities.
Do the Research -- For more information on how you can fight for the cure or where we found these statistics, please use the links below:
