October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

What is breast cancer? Words from Pink Ribbon Day Site

Breast cancer starts in the ducts or lobules of the breast. Cells lining the ducts or lobules can grow out of control and develop into cancer.

Some breast cancers are found when they are still confined to the ducts or lobules of the breast. This is called pre-invasive breast cancer. The most common types are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

Most breast cancers are found when they are invasive. This means the cancer has spread outside the ducts or lobules of the breast into surrounding tissue.

There are several categories of invasive breast cancer.

Early breast cancer: contained in the breast but may have spread to one or more lymph nodes in the armpit.

Locally advanced breast cancer: may have spread to places near the breast, such as the chest (including the skin, muscles or bones of the chest), but the cancer isn’t found in other areas of the body.

Metastatic breast cancer: the cancer cells spread from the breast to other areas of the body, such as the bones, liver or the lungs. It may also be called advanced breast cancer.

How common is it?  Words from Pink Ribbon Day Site

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women in Australia. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. Around 13,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Breast cancer can occur at any age. It is more common in women aged over 60 but nearly one-quarter of women are younger than 50.

Men can also develop breast cancer, although this is rare. Around 110 men are diagnosed each year in Australia.

Cancer Council raises awareness about breast and gynaecological cancers, as well as funds, in support of the many thousands of women in Australia and their families who are affected by these cancers.

---

Neighbours star "Ashleigh Brewer"

The funds you raise this October will help Cancer Council's aim to provide complete support for those fighting women’s cancers.  

What we do  Words from Pink Ribbon Day Site

Cancer Council brings together Australia’s leading state and territory cancer organisations. Our vision is to minimise the threat of cancer through successful prevention, best treatment, support and world-class cancer research. To realise our vision Cancer Council undertakes a broad range of activities:

• Research - We are the leading independent funders of cancer research in Australia, granting more than $50million a year in research grants.
• Patient support - Cancer Councils coordinate a network of cancer support groups, services and programs to help improve the quality of life of cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families and carers.
• Information - We provide evidence-based, up-to-date information about all aspects of cancer to:
  • Doctors and other health professionals - to help improve prevention, detection and treatment of cancer
  • Cancer patients and the general community - more than 100,000 people contact Cancer Councils for information and advice each year, chiefly through the Cancer Council Helpline (13 11 20)
• Prevention - Our early detection and prevention programs aim to help people quit smoking, protect themselves from the sun, eat healthier foods and engage in physical activity to reduce the risk of cancer.
• Treatment - Our Australia-wide network of health professionals, develop guidelines to provide the best evidence based treatment and care for cancer patients.
• Advocacy - Cancer Council advises government on the needs of our stakeholders and provides an independent voice for improved cancer control policy based on the evidence.

Nothing says I (heart) pink quite like Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day merchandise and it’s a great way to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer in your state. While the official date of Pink Ribbon Day is Monday 22nd October 2012, merchandise is sold right throughout the months of September and October.

Having A Girls Night in is the perfect excuse to catch up with the girls and help support Cancer Council. Get together and do something you love with new friends and best friends.

---

Just register, set a date and get together. It’s that simple! Every dollar raised helps in the fight against women’s cancers.

 To all bloggers show your support by putting the I love Pink photo on your blog.