October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink yogurt lids and races around the country are conveying one message this month-- increase your awareness of breast cancer and join the fight against the disease. One of the stories last week on the cover of CNN featured a man who had been diagnosed. While he is certainly in the minority of those affected by the disease, everyone should be particularly aware this month about their breast health-- the keys being EDUCATION and EARLY DETECTION.

An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among women in the United States during 2009. And an estimated 40,170 women will die from breast cancer. Also, about 1,910 men will be diagnosed and 440 men will die of breast cancer during 2009 in the United States.

Statistics courtesy of the Susan G Komen website: http://ww5.komen.org/

Please join me in a Race for the Cure, October 18, 2009 in Hunt Valley: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=310505 At least 25% of net proceeds are used to support the Komen Award and Research Grant Program. Up to 75% of net proceeds stay in Maryland to fund grants that provide transportation to appointments, financial support, appropriate diagnostic testing, and a comprehensive range of follow-up services.