National Cancer Prevention Month offers opportunities for education and awareness

Did you know that more than half of all cancers diagnosed in the United States might have been preventable? They are linked to smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and excessive exposure to the sun.

It doesn’t have to be this way, and it shouldn’t. That’s why National Cancer Prevention Month is so important. This is the time to stop smoking (or better yet, never start), take a look at diet and exercise and make changes where needed, and buy that sunscreen we keep saying we’ll apply when sitting poolside, or even doing yard work.

The American Cancer Society has all kinds of helpful information about cancer, and steps that can help reduce your risk.  One big thing you can do is see what tests you might need to look into, based on your age, gender and ethnicity. That includes colonoscopies, mammograms and other easy to schedule exams that will give you peace of mind, as well as hopefully catch any problems early.

Putting an end to cancer is still a ways away, but research is ongoing and comprehensive. If we do our part, we can cut down on the number of cancer cases in the meantime. For instance, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that one-third of the most common cancers in the United States could be prevented by eating healthier, exercising and keeping excess weight off. The AICR says that’s an estimated 374,000 cancer cases that would never happen.

That’s a number we can all get behind. So, for February, take one step toward preventing cancer. Maybe that’s just eating more fruits and vegetables, or maybe it’s finally using that gym membership you got during the holidays, or scheduling that long-overdue physical. Take the first step and be the change in your own life when it comes to stopping or preventing cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us to not skip regular exams

Every year, October shows up right after September, on schedule and no surprises. Our annual physical should be that way as well, and so should things like mammograms and self-checks for lumps or anything else abnormal.

But we’re often not good about such self-care, which is why Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us, once again, to do the work necessary to minimize the risk of, and hopefully prevent, breast cancer. And while nobody likes scare tactics, it’s necessary sometimes to look at the statistics for a sobering reminder of what’s at risk here according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation:

•       One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.
•       Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
•       Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
•       Each year it is estimated that more than 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,500 will die.
•       On average, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
•       More than 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today. 

The World Health Organization reports that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women around the world, with hundreds of thousands dying each year. The good news is that in recent years, a gradual reduction has been seen in women aged 50 and older, and death rates have been declining for more than 25 years thanks to early detection, more awareness and the growing number of treatment options.

All that said, it still begins with you. Not sure where to start? Download this handy guide that will walk you through self-exams, when to see a doctor and much more. And whether you’re unaffected, a survivor or have a survivor in your friends and family tree, learn how to pitch in to support education, awareness, research and treatment here. This is one fight we all need to take on, so that breast cancer (and all other cancers) become a thing of the past!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Are You Ready?

No event on the Scrubin calendar is bigger than Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s October, so that means we’re focusing once again on how and what we — and can do to fight breast cancer.

And talk about a cause that has come to life! It is hard to imagine that not so many years ago, breast cancer — and women’s health issues in general — were basically an afterthought in the public consciousness. Now most people know what the pink ribbon signifies; most are well aware that there is a national campaign to cure breast cancer; and most consider a true priority in the sphere of public health.

Still, there remains so much more to do. We haven’t cured breast cancer. This year almost 250,000 women will be diagnosed with the disease, and 40,000 women will die from it this year, in the United States alone. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death annually amongst women. This is an issue with as much urgency as ever.

So the fight continues on all fronts. Make sure this October you stand up and are counted. Early detection remains a must: the survival rates for this cancer are encouraging, but that is only if the disease is detected in time.

• Be sure to perform monthly self-exams.

• Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

• Schedule and keep appointments with your physician.

• And encourage other women in your life to do the same.

Research for the cure, as well as treatment for victims, is always an expensive proposition. Always know that financial contributions to the cause are not only welcome, they are needed. Every dollar donated is another step closer to the cure!

Or perhaps you’d like to donate more than your money: Perhaps you’d like to donate the resources of time and personal care. There are numerous avenues to do so: women’s health clinics and community centers need your help year round, and fundraising events and special programs abound every October. Check out just a few of the many possibilities here.

And be sure to visit our website to get your pink ribbon scrub tops to wear this October, as well as taking to your favorite social-media platforms to spread the word, so that breast cancer never again becomes a secondary issue. There is only one destination in mind — curing the disease forever — and we won’t stop until we get there!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month means Awareness and Advocacy

This is the big one. Scrubin is a committed, long-term supporter of breast cancer research, and we look forward to the day when a cure is found. Just page down through our product lines and you are sure to find that many of our nurses’ scrub sets, tops, pants and lab coats, not to mention accessories, are adorned with themes concerning women and the fight against this disease. The pink ribbon means something to us, and we hope it means a lot to you too.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been a cornerstone event in women’s health issues since its founding in 1985. Over the years it has grown in stature and impact. The NFL now decorates its fields and uniforms with pink for the month. Tokyo Tower is lit up in pink every year. The National Race for the Cure, an event begun in Dallas with participation of less than 1,000 people, now has about 1.5 million runners and walkers yearly, spread over 100 cities. The Susan G. Komen 3-day “For the Cure” walk, an event to raise funds to find the cure, takes place in countries the world over. Every year the events and public outreach during October grow, which is good news for those advocating not only for research, but also for self examinations, annual mammograms and other preventive measures.

In fact, the awareness month was originally started to promote mammography to foster earlier detection of the disease. That is still at the core of educating the public: women need to be tested early and often. Mammograms can show pre-cancerous conditions and allow women and their doctors to take appropriate steps from there. Mammograms can detect the cancer in its earliest, localized stages, greatly improving the rates of successful treatment and full recovery. This is a disease that will eventually strike more than one in 10 women, so every edge is necessary in fighting it.

This year, we have some good news to report: The rates for breast cancer have been dropping in the new millennium, after rising for the previous two decades. Clearly smarter health decisions and the rise of awareness on the part of women for early screenings (sign up for a screening reminder here, thanks to the American Cancer Society) and tests have had a big impact. And with improved treatment options, breast cancer has a better survival rate than it once did.         

But this is still a disease that strikes nearly 300,000 women a year in the United States alone. And, more than 40,000 women are expected to die of breast cancer this year in America. That is simply unacceptable. We cannot stop until we find the cure!

The widespread popularity of Breast Cancer Awareness Month means there are more outlets than ever for you to make a difference. So whether its running a marathon, signing up for a fundraising walk or helping out at a women’s health clinic, be sure to do your part to stop breast cancer in its tracks!

Here’s some more info about how you can get involved: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month

Show your support by wearing Breast Cancer Awareness scrub tops and accessories: http://www.scrubin.com/breast-cancer-awareness