October is National Breast Cancer Month

With breast cancer currently the second most common cancer in women, according to government health statistics, awareness and early detection are crucial for treatment outcomes. With this in mind, every October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness of the disease and funds for research and treatment.

While most women are aware of the disease, many fail to take steps to  detect breast cancer in its early stages, say the experts at the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

As such, each year in October, women are encouraged to create an “Early Detection Plan.” The benefits are proven; when breast cancer is detected early in what is known as a “localized stage,” the five year survival rate is 98 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. Having a plan is all about creating reminders to conduct breast self-exams, and to schedule clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history.

More free information about creating an Early Detection Plan is available at www.earlydetectionplan.org and by consulting your personal health care provider.

This October, make sure the women in your family are  active in helping to safeguard their own health and that of their loved ones.