Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer.

There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. This year, an estimated 42,170 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S. Although rare, men get breast cancer too. In 2020, an estimated 2,620 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S. and approximately 520 will die. While you can’t prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health.

Being in a diverse city, predominately made up of Black and Brown people, we have the highest risk to get of cancer and other horrible diseases. We have genetic comorbidities that leave us more vulnerable to get sick. Since Mount Vernon Hospital could potentially be closing, this is the time more than ever to be supportive and united as a community. Pay attention to the health of your friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Take care of each other and check up on one another. We are all in this together.

2020 has been a powerful reminder that we are all in this together, and our choices and actions have the power to protect the most vulnerable among us in a big way. The same holds true when it comes to breast cancer. It is important that we stay on top of our health and have routine physicals and check-ups. We encourage everyone to continue getting tested and performing the proper social distancing and mask-wearing protocols for COVID-19 to reduce the risk of other developing health issues.

With your help, we can show every woman that her life is important. If you or a loved one were affected by breast cancer, there are many ways you can show your support and tell your story. To get involved in the cause, www.nationalbreastcancer.org provides many resources, information, and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. There are also opportunities to share your story to inspire and inform others.

The City of Mount Vernon is dedicated to supporting the cause and wants to spread awareness as much as possible. Let’s work #ToGetHer for this October’s #BreastCancerAwareness Month by uniting as a community that recognizes the value of all women. We can work #ToGetHer to make sure every woman has access to education, screening, treatment, support, and hope, regardless of her circumstances.