Why Breast Matters

As many already know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s our responsibility as a community to join together to raise awareness for a disease that affects our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends. I know that many have been touched by this illness on a very personal level and that it has changed the lives of countless Ohioans, including those in my family as my mother battles the disease.As research continues on the disease and strides are made in the area of finding a cure, anyone can influence the work to eradicate the illness. Just understanding breast cancer and knowing how to detect signs of the disease early on can make a significant difference.The statistics about breast cancer speak for themselves. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease over the course of their lifetime. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. It’s also important to note that breast cancer is not just an issue we are facing here in the U.S., but it has substantial global implications as the most common cancer among women worldwide.