Pink. It seems to be everywhere. Have you noticed the color at the local grocery store on cereal boxes, or perhaps on TV during football Sundays? The month of October is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a movement for 25 years of awareness, education, and empowerment. Breast cancer touches more than just those who are diagnosed.

About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Besides skin cancer, it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women.

If you are at high risk for breast cancer due to family history, genetics, or previous cancer diagnosis, there are many things you can do in order to stay healthy and help prevent breast cancer.

Get Informed

Yearly mammograms are your friend! The procedure of mammograms is used with a machine that can help find 80% of all types of lumps, even those that are benign. Many doctors suggest to start getting mammograms at 20 years old. Self-exams in the comfort of your own home can help too. Gently, yet firmly feel both breasts each morning as you take a shower, or even when you are getting ready for bed. Take note of swelling or bumps, rashes, unusual pain and/or nipple discharge (not breast milk), and make an appointment immediately.  Be responsible, get checked.

Eating healthy and staying active is an important way to help prevent breast cancer as well. Limit your fat intake and consume nutritious vitamins and minerals each day. Daily fruits and vegetables, yogurt, protein, etc. can help achieve good levels of nutrition.

Making exercise part of your daily routine is important as well. Around 30 minutes of exercise four to five times a week can help maintain your healthy lifestyle. It can also keep you energized and more efficient throughout the day.

Get Involved

Joining neighborhood or national organizations can help you keep up with breast cancer donations, new researching results, and progressive treatments to find a cure for this horrible disease.

There are thousands to choose from:

Colorado Breast Cancer Resource Directory is a great way to obtain some answers to your many questions, such as:

Who can I talk to who has been through breast cancer?

How will I pay for treatment?

How will I cope?

Find local doctors, support groups, and so much more. You can also learn about cosmetic services, survival stories and even transportation options for those who may need to travel out of town for medical treatment. To find out more, visit http://www.breastcancercolorado.org/index.aspx

Be Bright Pink is an educational organization to help promote breast cancer awareness. Whether Breast Cancer has hurt a friend, family member, or loved one, give yourself a peace of mind by living a beautiful and fulfilling life. Educate yourself and become a bright pink girl. You can receive invitations to events around the nation to help support survivors and those that are still fighting. Learn more at www.bebrightpink.org.

Susan G Komen’s Walk for the Cure, a large foundation for care, treatment, and research for breast cancer, has showed tremendous results with over 50,000 walkers and runners invading the streets of downtown Denver this past October 2^nd; they raised over $3 million dollars!

There are many other breast cancer foundations you can contribute and be a part of as well.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is not only a walk, it is the progress women are making together to save lives and end breast cancer.  They have nearly raised $400 million dollars towards breast cancer research since 1993. Become involved, volunteer, and learn with this ACS (American Cancer Society) foundation. Learn more at www.makingstrides.acsevents.org

Pennies in Action is a nonprofit organization created by Olympic athlete Uschi Keszler, a two-time breast cancer survivor. This month, Pennies in Action is currently raising funds for Breast Cancer Vaccine Research headed by Brian J. Czerniecki, M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. To donate and learn more, visit http://www.penniesinaction.org/index.htm.

Being a woman is an extraordinary thing. Wear your pink this month to help honor, remember, and celebrate those who never stop fighting. Stay strong, fight, and take care of yourself.

“It’s not enough to be aware. To save your life you must take action.” Nancy G. Brinker, CEO and Founder of Susan G. Komen Foundation