In the pink

Maybe you saw that National Football League players wore pink shoes, pink gloves, pink wristbands and carried pink towels this past week. Major League Baseball players brought pink bats to the plate on Mother's Day. All this is an effort to bring awareness to breast cancer.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we want you to be aware of it. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Association. An estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease this year alone.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in one or both of the breasts. Breast cancer usually develops in the ducts or lobules, also known as the milk-producing area of the breast. Not all breast cancers are alike. There are different stages of breast cancer based on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread. For doctor and patient, knowing the stage of breast cancer is the most important factor in choosing among treatment options. Doctors use a physical exam, biopsy and other tests to determine breast cancer stage.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. Black women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer after age 40 than Caucasian women, although, they have a slightly higher incidence of breast cancer before age 40. However, African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age. Breast cancer is much less common in males. By comparison, the disease is about 100 times more common in women.

If you are worried about developing breast cancer, or if you know someone who has been diagnosed with the disease, one way to deal with your concern is to get as much information as possible. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

Cancer can change your appearance, but it can't take away your spirit. Look Good ... Feel Better is a free program that helps women look their best during cancer treatment. At Look Good ... Feel Better sessions, experienced cosmetologists teach cancer patients beauty tips to help minimize the appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Good makeup applications and a wig or turban can bring back your former appearance or create an entirely new one. In looking better, you'll experience renewed self-confidence and self-esteem. It's like a makeover for the spirit. And that's a beautiful thing.

Look Good ... Feel Better will take place in Campbellsville on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Green Room Salon and Spa. There is no cost to attend. To register for this program, call the Bowling Green American Cancer Society office at (270) 782-9036.

We just want you to be aware.