This month, the world stands together to increase global awareness for breast cancer. The single most common cancer for women besides lung cancer, breast cancer affects about 13 percent of all women at some point in their lives. Hundreds of thousands of new cases involving invasive breast cancer will be reported this year alone. With the incident rate increasing over the years, the time to bring awareness is now.

Screening for breast cancer is recommended every two years for women 50 to 74 years of age. Women ages 40 to 49 are encouraged to talk to their doctor about when and how often to start screening for breast cancer with routine mammograms. However, not all who get diagnosed are women. Male breast cancer affects 1 percent of the population proving that regardless of your sex, knowing the symptoms, risk factors and early screening options for this disease is important.

There are many helpful resources for information regarding these topics available today. With the ease and availability of technology at our fingertips, it has never been easier to find information that can help save your life or the life of your loved one. From websites such as www.cdc.gov, www.nationalbreastcancer.org, or www.wearitpink.org, anyone, anywhere can get involved, read statistics, and learn what they need to in order to ensure they remain in good health. These websites offer information on screening, access, and treatments, education, support and hope for those who fight. Donations are even accepted to help others in their journey.

As we turn the corner into October, I hope that everyone reading this will talk to their loved ones about the importance and benefit of early screening to ensure any type of breast cancer is caught and easier to treat.

Many have a story to tell, and this month, pink is worn across the world as a badge of courage. From a woman who may be fighting, or for a loved one who has stood beside someone who battled, this color is worn to open people’s eyes to a disease we all wish to erase. At Ephraim McDowell, our Associates stand with those throughout the world to bring awareness to this very important cause.