By: Jade Rayner Freelancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, while you may not feel that you are at risk, now is the time to become familiar with the second most common cancer among women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40,000 women and 400 men in the U.S. each year lose their lives
to breast cancer. The numbers seem haunting but don’t let that stop you from taking action. There are many ways that you can make a difference and join the fight against breast cancer.
Be familiar with your own body; knowing the right time to get screened is essential to early detection of cancer. The CDC reports that women 50 to 74 years old should be getting a mammogram every two years. Prior to 50 years old, women may discuss the risks and benefits of getting screened with a doctor. To get screened locally, you can visit Samaritan Corvallis Mammography, Mission Medical Imaging in Dallas, Salem Hospital Women’s Imaging and the Western Student Health and Counseling Center. A complete list, including contact information, can be found on the FDA website.
Donating is another great way to assist in the fight against breast cancer but be wary of donating to organizations without doing your research first. As stated by Consumer Reports, both Give.org and Charity Navigator are reliable online resources that you can use to see the what percentage of donations received goes to people in need, as well as the programs provided and the mission of any charity of your choice.
The Breast Cancer Research foundation has been reported to use 91 percent of donations collected for research into finding a cure and new ways of preventing the cancer. The Rose is a foundation that has been reported to put 85 percent of donations into programs that assist women with minimal or no insurance to get access to cancer screenings and treatment.
Contact the author at jrayner14@wou.edu
