In October, Wear Pink for Breast Cancer

October is the month when pink is seen everywhere. From sports teams to people in the community, thousands participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink.

I have always participated in breast cancer charities for the last 10 years and will be joining other women golfers again in a couple of weeks for our annual Pink Ribbon Golf tournament which will be supporting breast cancer research. However, because of COVID-19, the week-long fundraising at our club has been canceled but we’re still golfing to support breast cancer research.

In fact, I schedule my mammography in October every year because as I get older I am increasing my risks of developing breast cancer. I hope you’re making an appointment for your annual screening too! In fact, many people have missed their annual screening because of Covid-19. Cancer doesn’t stop for COVID-19. And that means you shouldn’t stop getting your cancer screenings either. As long as you don’t feel sick or have symptoms due to COVID-19, getting a mammogram is perfectly safe.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors for Women over 50

Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer in women, behind skin cancer. In the U.S., 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.

Age increases your Risk

Your risk for breast cancer increases as you age. About 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are ages 45 or older, and about 43% are ages 65 or above. Consider this: In women ages 40 to 50, there is a one in 68 risk of developing breast cancer. From ages 50 to 60, that risk increases to one in 42. In the 60 to 70 age group, the risk is one in 28. In women ages 70 and older, one in 26 is at risk of developing the disease.

Family history

Having a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) who has breast cancer puts a woman at higher risk for the disease. The risk is even greater if this relative developed breast cancer before menopause and had cancer in both breasts. Having one first-degree relative with breast cancer approximately doubles the risk in women, and having two first-degree relatives triples their risk.

Race

Caucasian women are at a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer than are African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women. However, the exception to this is African-American women, who are more likely than Caucasians to have breast cancer under the age of 40.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

(HRT). Long-term use of combined estrogen and progesterone increases our risk of breast cancer. This risk seems to return to that of the general population after discontinuing them for five years or longer.

Alcohol Consumption

The use of alcohol is linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Drats. Compared with nondrinkers, women who consume one cocktail a day have a very small increase in risk, and those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1.5 times the risk of women who do not drink. 

Weight

Being overweight (especially in the waist), increases your risk, especially after menopause.

Why wear pink in October for breast cancer?

Did you know the color pink was officially adopted by the American Cancer Society as a color for Breast Cancer Awareness? Wearing pink shows support for all women, men, and their loved ones who have been touched by breast cancer. It’s so important that we support worthwhile breast cancer research and education

How to Lower Your Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

• Early detection is the key! When breast cancer is found in the early stages, the five-year survival rate is 100%. Be sure to give yourself a breast self-exam once a month.
• Leading a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of developing breast cancer. This includes exercising, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and limiting alcohol. Exercise helps keep you at a healthy weight and boosts the immune system. Having a low-fat diet and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables reduces risk; a higher-fat diet causes estrogen to be made that can cause tumors to grow. Quit smoking because it’s a risk factor for all sorts of cancers. As for drinking alcohol, research has shown that having one drink each day slightly increases the risk.
• Annual breast cancer screening for women ages 45 to 54. Before that age, mammograms are optional unless a person is at a higher risk. At age 55 and older, mammograms should take place every two years.

My Pink Outfit

I love wearing this pink top from Talbots with my fringed vest from Chico’s. Did you know that fringe is a popular trend this year? My kitted long vest is 3 years old but it’s now a popular style now! Fringe jackets, boots with fringe, and even bags with fringe can be found in stores! It’s a chic western style which is why I added the conch belt over my top. Wearing the belt over my shirt adds an element of style but I could have worn the top tucked in or without the belt too.

I love my pink bow tie slides and wear them a lot in October.

You can wear any color of pink in October as your way of supporting breast cancer awareness and to hopefully one day find a cure for this horrible cancer.

Related Posts:

Pretty in Pink: Breast Cancer, It Can Happen to Me

Lifestyle over 50: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A Scarf that Gives Back to Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Who’s Your One?-Susan G. Komen

 

Thank you for stopping by today!

Are you or someone you love dealing with breast cancer?

Be well.