It’s well established that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everywhere one looks this month are pink ribbons and other decorations. Whether it’s on a roll of paper towels at the grocery store or on a mailbox or front door in the community, the pink movement is in full gear.
In an effort to build on that momentum, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday have been declared “Paint Warren County Pink Weekend,” and community members are encouraged to wear pink and decorate with pink in observance of breast cancer awareness.
Businesses can participate by decorating with pink, having special pink promotions and having employees dress in pink. Churches are also encouraged to join in by hosting a “Pink Sunday” and encouraging members to wear pink to services this weekend. The Southern Standard’s Sunday edition will feature information on the disease as well as stories from cancer survivors. The newspaper’s pink edition is supported by advertisers throughout our community, who join in the effort to eradicate breast cancer.
Statistics from the American Cancer Society indicate 1-in-8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That translates to one new diagnosis every two minutes.
The two biggest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and aging. Though women are at a higher risk, about one percent of U.S. men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Warren County was ranked with the second highest breast-cancer-related mortality rate in all of Tennessee in the most recent state-wide cancer survey. That same survey indicated women in our region were less likely to get screened or to get treatment for breast cancer than women in the rest of the state,” said American Cancer Society Specialist Marlene Delong. “So, while it’s true that people in our area are aware of breast cancer and the statistics are definitely improving, there’s still a lot of work to be done as far as education and local access to care.”
While the observance is primarily about raising awareness about the disease and putting a spotlight on local survivors, co-survivors (loved ones who go through the cancer journey with a survivor) and breast cancer organizations, those wishing to make a donation to the cause are invited to visit www.cancer.org for the American Cancer Society or www.KomenUpperCumberland.org for the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen.
Anyone holding a breast cancer awareness activity, making a donation to a breast cancer organization or offering a special discount or activity at their business is invited to post the information on the official Paint Warren County Pink Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/PaintWCPink – or on the Southern Standard Facebook or Twitter. Photos of community members wearing and decorating with pink are encouraged.