Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2010

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2010. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization, a partnership of professional medical associations, government agencies and public service organizations that have come together to promote breast cancer awareness and provide greater access to screening services, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Much has been done in the past quarter of a century regarding raising awareness and treating breast cancer – but there remains much more to do.

Here, some sobering statistics:

According to the Centers for Disease Control’s 2006 statistics – the most recent year data was available – 191,410 women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

That year, 40,820 women died from breast cancer.

About 207,090 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2010. (Source: American Cancer Society)

Self-Awareness

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, following skin cancers, but can be successfully treated, especially if it’s found early, says Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. They recommend that you:

Know your risk. Speak with family members to learn your family health history and speak with your medical provider about your personal risk.

Get Screened. Again, speak with your doctor to learn which screening tests are most appropriate for you. These will vary, depending on your risk factors.

Know Your Breasts. Learn how to do a breast self-exam – and do them monthly. Speak to your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts including thickening, lumps, swelling, redness, pulling in of your nipples, sudden discharge or pain.

Each of us knows someone, or perhaps IS someone, who’s been affected by this disease. It’s our hope that with continued awareness and education, and funding for research and treatment, breast cancer will be a curable or totally manageable disease.

Towards that effort, walks, runs and fundraisers are being held all over the world.  There are many organizations to which you can donate money to help with breast cancer research including the Susan G. Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Breast Cancer.org.

Following is a list of several companies that will donate a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer research as well as information on the Avon Walk that will take place tomorrow and Sunday in NYC.

Show your support for breast cancer research while keeping fit. Gaiam, a distributor of lifestyle media and fitness accessories, and SHAPE Magazine have once again teamed up with Pilates expert, Mari Winsor to release The Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink Slimdown. This workout DVD will help users transform their bodies with four 15-minute Pilates routines designed to flatten abs, tone legs and sculpt arms. Mari Winsor developed the perfect way to lose pounds and inches, build muscle and achieve and maintain an ideal weight whether you are new to Pilates or have been exercising for years. With each DVD purchase, $1 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Support this very important cause along with Gaiam and SHAPE!  DVD retails for $14.98.

Luxury silk bedding and loungewear brand, Kumi Kookoon will  donate 20 percent of sales from the Ribbon Collection to Think Pink Rocks when purchased on http://www.KumiKookoon.com. This opulent collection is available in Cotton Candy or Snow Cone and retails for $80.00-$1,700.00.

Premium skincare line Goldfaden has teamed up with CEW’s Cancer & Careers Organization and will donate 20 percent of proceeds from the Instant Face Lift when purchased on http://www.glow.com, http://www.dermstore.com or http://www.goldfaden.com during the entire month of October. Goldfaden Instant Face Lift retails for $75.00. Goldfaden’s Instant Face Lift is formulated with organic red tea and seaweed extract—two powerful anti-oxidants that promises to smooth away tired, stressed and sagging skin.

glominerals has launched gloGloss in Pink Blossom exclusively for Breast Cancer Awareness month. This yummy lip gloss gives lips a high-shine, pink sherbet hue. The creamy mineral formulation contains nourishing anti-oxidant ingredients vitamins A, C, E and green tea plus moisturizing safflower oil and aloe which provides vital nutrients to the lips to keep them healthy while looking beautiful.  During the month of October a percentage of proceeds will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation BCF. glominerals gloGloss retails for $15.50 and is available at http://www.glominerals.com.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BodyRock Sport will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from the sales of all pink-colored bras and headphones toSusan G. Komen For the Cure. With six pink bra styles and two color options for earbuds, BodyRock Sport helps support the cause in style. Available for purchase online at http://www.bodyrocksport.com, the fashionable activewear line’s breast cancer awareness products support Susan G. Komen For the Cure in their mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find cures.

Five percent of proceeds from the sales of jewelry designer Shery Shabani’s new pink sapphire collection will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Included in the promotion are: 14.5 ct Pink Sapphire Bracelet on 14K gold and silver , retail price: $6,600; 7.5 ct Pink Sapphire Earrings on 14K gold and silver, retail price: $4,200 and a  42” Triple Cluster Pink Sapphire Onyx Bead Necklace, retail price: $4,000. For additional information or to purchase visit,http://www.sheryshabani.com.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month historic landmarks around the world lit up brilliant pink as part of the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. A total of 38 global historic landmarks shined in pink over a 24-hour period of time, creating a new category and achieving a new Guinness World Record entitled “Most Landmarks Illuminated for a Cause in 24 Hours.”  Included in the event were the Empire State Building and Museum of Modern Art (NYC), Los Angeles International Airport, Parliament House (Australia), Las Condes City Hall (Chile), Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (India), The Old Port of Jaffa (Israel) and the Hotel Majestic in Cannes (France).

On October 16 and 17, NYC is the site for the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. For more information on participation, donating and/or cheering on the walkers, visit: http://www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541 WALK.