Pink ribbons have been popping up across everything from product labels to social media posts, to symbolize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are an estimated number of 310,720 new cases of breast cancer this year, and approximately 42,250 women are expected to die from the disease.
With this in mind, health experts in Augusta and beyond are urging people, especially women, to continue educating themselves on risk management and prevention year-round.
“Breast cancer is more than just the month of October, it’s every month,” said Carolyn Byrd, a co-founder of Reduce Your Risk, an organization working to spread breast cancer awareness in Augusta.
Reducing the risk
Byrd is a 15-year breast cancer survivor this month. She started Reduce Your Risk, along with Angela Prince and Lisa Ann Wheeler, after her journey battling the disease.
She said that “early detection is the key” to preventing cancer’s spread. Reduce Your Risk works with Know Your Lemons, a campaign that playfully demonstrates the twelve signs that you might have breast cancer – from skin sores to breasts that are hot to the touch.
“We’re taught that it’s a lump, but it can be more than just a lump,” she said.
Know Your Lemons provides resources for women to administer breast cancer self-exams on themselves. It’s recommended to do this every month, either a few days after the end of the menstrual cycle or the first day of the month for someone who does not have a cycle.
Some factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer include overconsumption of alcohol or cigarettes, unhealthy body weight and lack of exercise.
Unique challenges
According to Dr. Alicia Arnold with the Georgia Cancer Center, breast cancer can take a unique toll on women, sometimes altering their body image due to changes in the breasts and hair loss.
“That’s just some of the reality that’s different from other cancers,” she said.
She also said that women may still lack sensation to the breasts after reconstruction: “That’s tough as well to adjust to.”
Supporting survivors
Arnold said that she’s known of many breast cancer patients who use much of their energy to console worried loved ones.
“The patients need to be able to go to those loved ones and friends and be able to say how they truly feel without that loved one immediately crying and getting upset,” she said. “I think they have to take time to listen and then maybe privately deal with their own emotions, and not try to put that off on the patient.”
Reduce Your Risk’s Byrd said support groups can make a large difference in the lives of those with breast cancer, especially for those dealing with fears that cancer might spread or return.
“When you hear the c word, your life actually flashes before your face,” she said. “All you can really think about is death.”
Shaney Darden, Founder of Keep a Breast, said that another way people can support others experiencing breast cancer is to go with them to their doctor’s appointments.
“When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, the diagnosis happens to the whole family and to the whole friend group…the best thing to do is really just be there for that person, show up, go to their appointments with them, take notes,” she said.
However, she noted that it’s important to offer support by maintaining a sense of normalcy.
“Just do normal things…if your thing is going to the movies with that person, keep doing it,” she said.
Breast Cancer events to look for
On Oct. 26, Reduce Your Risk is hosting Pinkapalooza!, a breast cancer awareness-raising event at the Augusta Mall. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and will recognize survivors while also offering family fun including a petting zoo and vendors.
Reduce Your Risk also holds breast cancer walks on the first Saturday of each month at the Augusta Mall.
The Georgia Cancer Center holds a breast cancer survivor group meeting every fourth Monday at 5:30 pm at the Knox Foundation Community Center in Augusta. The meetings are open to everyone and typically include speakers and patient stories. Medical professionals will be present to answer questions in a relaxed and informal environment.
