October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About one in eight born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.
The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat, like my friend.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection breast cancer. Make a difference! Spread the word about mammograms and encourage women to get screenings.
In this month, faith communities, with the help from faith community nurses, can spread the word about steps women can take to detect breast cancer early. Here are a few ideas:
  1. Ask doctor or nurse to speak to women’s groups about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer.
  2. Encourage women of all ages by writing e-newsletter articles or bulletin board to talk with their physician about when to start to getting mammograms.
  3. Organize a mammogram van to come to the community to screen low income women.
  4. Host a breast cancer virtual walk with the congregations members
There are many organizations in the month of October who are willing to work with faith based congregations and agencies to increase breast cancer awareness. Reach out to them to spread the word. You never know, it might be a good friend that gets screened and treated early as result.