Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Observed each year in October it has arrived, along with nearly endless opportunities to show your support.

Cause-related marketing around breast cancer is everywhere. You can find something to show your support in almost every store that you go into. However, you may need to think before you pink! In some cases, your charitable impact will be better served by a donation than by a purchase.

Some companies have jumped on the pink bandwagon as a matter of marketing rather than mission. Remember any company can color merchandise pink or use a pink ribbon image, whether they donate all their proceeds to cancer charities, a tiny percentage, make a flat donation, or give no money at all. How can they get away with this? By claiming that their products do good by “raising awareness.”

If you make a purchase don’t let yourself off the hook because you’ve done a “good” deed. If finding a cure for Breast Cancer is something you’re really passionate about, write a check, too. Below are three of my favorite organizations that I contribute to.

Susan G Komen - our contribution is more than a donation, it is how we will work to end breast cancer forever. You may choose to direct your donation to stage IV/ metastatic breast cancer research, general breast cancer research, or triple negative breast cancer research.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.

What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast and can gradually spread to other parts of the body. When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%. With the help of regular mammography screening, monthly breast self-exams, and regular clinical breast exams, breast cancers can be found at an early stage. While the most common sign of breast cancer is a lump formation in the breast, the warning signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. A change in the look or feel of the breast or nipple and nipple discharge are also signs.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. may develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. Staying at a healthy weight, being physically active, and limiting how much alcohol you drink can help reduce your risk of breast cancer.