COVER STORY
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For decades, October has been recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, we wear pink to honor all those whose lives have been affected by this disease and to educate women about early detection and treatment.
It’s really meaningful to see so many local organizations and agencies standing up on behalf of women’s health. For the past 11 years, members of the Lombard Fire Department and Lombard Firefighters Union 3009 have hosted an annual pink t-shirt fundraiser to support patients at Bhorade Cancer Care Center, at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. (That’s me rocking my pink t-shirt with Lombard Fire Chief Rick Sander and Lieutenant Mark Laffrey.)
Today in the United States, an estimated one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer at some time in her life. Medical researchers are making great progress in treatment, but mammograms and self breast exams are still our best weapons against this disease. If you are 40 or older, or if you are a younger woman with a history of breast cancer in your family, please take a minute right now to make an appointment for your yearly mammogram.
You can find more information about early detection and learn how you can take action on the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website.