Pink, Pink, everywhere and not a Cure in Sight



October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So that means pink EVERYWHERE!  I think most people would say they are “aware” of Breast Cancer, but many don’t understand the disease. I definitely did not have a true understanding until I received my diagnosis, and I am still learning.  Let me drop some knowledge on you in case you weren’t “aware” enough.
·       
      Breast Cancer doesn’t really have a “caught early” stage.  Don’t get me wrong, anything Stage 0-3 is better to have than Stage 4, but I have met many women that had the “caught early” stages and months/years later end up Stage 4 because their cancer has metastasized to other parts of their body.  FACT: 3 in 10 of all those diagnosed with breast cancer will develop Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  One close co-worker of mine was diagnosed with Stage 1 and months later was told it had metastasized.

o   Stage 4, known as Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), or Secondary Breast Cancer, at this time is NOT curable.  I repeat, it is NOT curable.  Only a small percentage (<20%) of men and woman who have been diagnosed with MBC survive more than 5 years once diagnosed.  There is still a lack of research being targeted towards MBC (Only 4-7% of all BC research) so that’s why you may hear people say that there really isn’t a “CURE” for Breast Cancer.  This is not to ignore the millions of breast cancer survivors that are out there that never have to deal with MBC which makes those woman and men even more amazing. 

o   Annually, 40,000 women and men are dying due to Breast Cancer. 

·       Getting to a point of No-Evidence of Disease, the new term for “cured” and never having to receive any other additional treatment related to Breast Cancer is the true Miracle and I continue to pray that I will get through, with God and some modern medicine.

·       Also, MEN get breast cancer too.  Just thought you should know J

·       Many companies use pink ribbons to sell their products while none to only a small amount of their profits actually go to breast cancer research or support. Do your research before you go and buy a pink pepper spray, pink car, or pink lint roller.  If you aren’t sure where to donate, maybe look at places that provide support for woman going through treatment.  Many hospitals try to raise money so that they can help decrease the financial burden woman accumulate related to treatment stays (hotel, travel, etc).

·       Not every woman/man/cancer patient likes to use the “Fighter” mentality.  Fight, battle, beat, defeat, etc. are often words used to give the patient strength, but really there isn’t much actually fighting on our part. God and chemo/radiation are really doing the heavy work while we do what we can to help it.  Pray, exercise, eat well when we can, rest, relax, and take our medicine/vitamins.  I am not personally bothered by the verbiage, however, please be mindful that some are offended by the idea of “being a fighter” because it may actually make them feel more helpless about their situation.

I think that is as much knowledge as I can share today but if you have questions or want me to share more about a certain topic, I will try to oblige.  Until next time. . .

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