Let’s Celebrate Survivors

In this day and age, we all know at least one woman whose life has been touched by breast cancer. In fact, we know that in the United States alone, 1 in 8 women will develop a form of this disease over the course of her lifetime (breastcancer.org). October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Let’s dive into a few ways you can be self-aware and support the survivors around us. 

Finding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art treatment is key to beating this disease. If breast cancer is found early, it can often be treated before it spreads to other areas of the body. That is why it is so important to make your breast health a priority. Any woman can follow the guidelines given by the American Cancer Society to screen at home and to know when it’s time for a trip to the doctor.

The American Cancer society recommends that by age 40, women should prioritize yearly mammograms. Monitoring changes from year to year can help your care team assess any changes in your health, while also assessing your level of risk. Outside of yearly mammograms, it’s important to perform self-exams in order to look for abnormalities or changes in health. With early detection and modern treatments, breast cancer is a disease that can be treated and often survived. 

What can you do to help? Reach out to your parish office and see if you can tangibly help someone in your community who may be fighting the disease now. Great ways to help include cooking the family a meal, or offering to assist with errands or childcare. You could also offer to drive someone to a doctor’s appointment, or offer to help clean their house. Above all, you can pray for those in your community who are struggling with this disease and its many effects. Prayer is the greatest way in which we can support those suffering around us.

As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, think of ways in which you can be self-aware and serve those around you. As always, your friends at Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union are here to help with whatever you may need. Together we can recognize that awareness is power!