Around this time last year, my grandmother went into remission for breast cancer and I couldn’t have been happier. I can remember talking to my dad on the phone before class that day and feeling so relieved and proud at what she was able to overcome. Sadly, not every woman is so lucky.
According to a survey done by the National Cancer Institute, 226,870 women were diagnosed with breast cancer just this year. Out of that number, they estimate that 39,510 will not make it into the new year.
October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as a result, we saw little pink pins, purses, water bottles, “I love boobs” shirts and even countless football players sporting pink shoes all across the nation. As much as I love to support breast cancer, I can’t help but wonder, what about the other types of cancer?
There are over 200 different types of cancer that attack over 60 different organs within the human body. According to the American Cancer Society, over a million people are affected by cancer within the United States. Not to mention those people who have been affected by family or friends that have developed cancer.
This month is Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
Lung is not only the second most common cancer, but it also is the leading cause of death for men and women within the nation. Lung cancer is expected to take 116,750 men and 105,770 women this year alone, according to an article by the PRNewswire. Not to mention that everywhere you turn on campus there is someone lighting a cigarette lately.
On the other hand, pancreatic cancer holds title for the fourth leading cause of death within the nation. Unlike other cancers, pancreatic cancer, has one of the highest death rates of all. Because of how late it is diagnosed, patients work twice as hard to fight it and often, there’s not much that can be done.
So this month, try to add a little pearly white for lung cancer, or maybe a bit of purple for pancreatic cancer to your wardrobe. Or pick up some ribbons on the cancer awareness website from NCI.
The idea here is just to be aware. If cancer is not something that interests you, then maybe diabetes awareness day on Nov. 14 will, international men’s day on Nov. 19 or even international elimination of violence again women day on the Nov. 25. All of these days of awareness are recognized by the U.S., and they are days support someone you love.
