Pink with Purpose
Turning Awareness into Care and Action…
Every October, pink seems to appear everywhere. Pink ribbons decorate storefronts, athletes wear pink on the field and communities come together for walks, fundraisers and events.
But Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about much more than a color. It’s a reminder to pay attention to our health, support those facing breast cancer and celebrate the survivors who have traveled a road they never expected to take.
One of the simplest things we can do is become familiar with how our breasts normally look and feel. A new lump or thickening, changes in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, nipple changes or unusual discharge are among the changes that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Most breast changes are not cancer, but noticing something different and getting it checked is important.
Mammograms can sometimes detect breast cancer before a lump can be felt. Screening recommendations may differ depending on age, personal health history and individual risk factors, so women should talk with their healthcare providers about when and how often they should be screened.
Family history is important, too. Knowing whether close relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer can help healthcare providers determine whether additional screening or genetic counseling may be appropriate.
Although breast cancer is overwhelmingly diagnosed in women, men can develop it as well. Because many people don’t realize this, symptoms in men may sometimes be overlooked. A lump or other unusual breast change should always be taken seriously, regardless of gender.
When someone we care about is diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say or do.
Often, practical help means the most.
Bring dinner. Offer a ride to an appointment. Pick up groceries. Walk the dog. Sit with them during treatment. Send a text that doesn’t require a response. Remember that cancer treatment can last for months, and support is often plentiful immediately after a diagnosis but may fade as time passes.
Sometimes the best thing to say is simply, “I’m here.”
The pink ribbon has become a symbol of hope and survivorship, and there is certainly much to celebrate. Advances in detection and treatment have helped many people live long lives after a breast cancer diagnosis.
But October can also be an emotional month for those currently in treatment, people living with metastatic breast cancer and families remembering someone they have lost.
Thinking pink means making room for all of those experiences.
Wearing pink is a wonderful way to show support, but awareness is most meaningful when it inspires action.
Schedule the appointment you’ve been putting off. Encourage someone you love to talk with their healthcare provider about screening. Donate to an organization that assists patients or supports research. Volunteer. Deliver a meal. Check in on a friend going through treatment.
And perhaps most importantly, don’t let concern about breast health disappear when October ends.
A pink ribbon may be small, but the message behind it is powerful: Pay attention. Get informed. Support one another.
And take care of yourself and the people you love. •
