David Jackson
Staff Writer
Have you been seeing a lot of pink this month? If you’ve been anywhere in town, or even just sitting in your living room watching television, chances are you have. That’s because October is breast cancer awareness month (BCAM).
People all over the world are showing their support by indulging in all things pink. Even the NFL has jumped on board, with players wearing pink gloves and towels, and special pink apparel being sold with a percentage of proceeds going to breast cancer research.
BCAM is an annual health campaign founded in 1985 that promotes awareness of the disease while raising money towards finding a cure. Since its formation the main agenda of BCAM has been to encourage women to receive regular screenings, citing that early detection is the most effective strategy in the battle against breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam every three years as a part of a regular health exam. Women in their 40s should have a screening annually.
According to breastcancer.org, in 2010 there were 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. Pierce College Ft Steilacoom President Denise Yochum is one of those survivors. This month marks her six-year anniversary being free of breast cancer.
“The pink ribbon and wrist bands are a good way to show people that you are aware,” Yochum said. I think the best thing you can do is if you know someone facing the disease or have dealt with it, just let them know you are thinking about them.”
There are many ways to get involved here in Pierce County. A Mexican Restaurant named Masa, located on 6th avenue, will be selling two dollar pink tacos all month, with one dollar from each sale going to the Breast Cancer Resource Center in Tacoma.
BCRC is a non-profit organization that provides free services to those dealing with the challenges of breast cancer. You can find a list of upcoming events in the area with proceeds going to BCRC and other western Washington breast cancer agencies on their website www.bcrcwa.org.
However, with donations and charities come scams. There have been a rash of lawsuits against breast cancer charities for fraud in last five years.
“I would tell anyone thinking about giving to really investigate the organization before donating dollars,” Janie Cunningham, director at the BCRC, said in a phone interview. “There are a lot of people promoting pink for the wrong reasons.”
So weather its pink tacos, pink wrist bands, or just letting friends or family know your there for them, make sure to support breast cancer awareness month.
