EDITORIAL: Pledge more than awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct. 4—It's that time of year again, when pink ribbons are popping up everywhere in an effort to remind people that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Awareness is a good thing. Thanks to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, we are aware that:

—1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That's 13% of the female population.

—In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. That averages 1 woman in the U.S. being diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes.

—An estimated 43,700 U.S. women will die from breast cancer in 2023. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.

—Early detection is key. When breast cancer is caught in its earliest, localized stages, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%.

—Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years. There are currently more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

OK, so we're all aware of the facts. Now what?

As the National Breast Cancer Foundation suggests, let's turn Breast Cancer Awareness Month into Breast Cancer Action Month. Let's take our awareness of the disease and turn it into an actual fight against the disease.

What might that look like? Here are some ideas:

—Donate to an organization that supports breast cancer research or helps breast cancer patients and survivors. Locally, there are two nonprofits that assist patients with nonmedical bills or provide funding for free mammograms for eligible women: the Springfield-based Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks and the Joplin-based Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation.

—Support the cause in other ways. For example, the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks will hold its annual Pink Ribbon Gala, with a theme of "Masquerade Mammosas," on Oct. 27 at Indigo Sky Casino & Resort. If you're a runner, you could participate in the Race 4 Hope, which is Hope 4 You's largest fundraiser. That event, a 5K and 1-mile run, is scheduled for Oct. 28 in downtown Joplin.

—Schedule a mammogram or breast cancer screening, especially if it's been a while since you've had one. Also, commit to doing monthly breast self-exams. Encourage others to do the same.

—Share your story of survival to offer hope to others, or share the story of a friend or loved one who lost the battle to honor their memory.

Together, we can turn the tide against breast cancer by transforming awareness into action.

The Joplin (Mo.) Globe