Black Globe International Magazine Oct 2019 2019-10 Black Globe International Magazine Vol 201 | Page 17

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month all Across the Globe
I am a cancer survivor. In 1983, cancer was not a well-known disease. It was a death sentence, even
more for women and African Americans.
Since then, it has been my mission to impart to others that there is life after cancer. I am a motiva-
tional speaker on surviving. I am the event founder for American Cancer Society’s Relay for life in 4
cities, across 3 states.
My greatest accomplishment has been looking in the eyes of a person starting their journey and giv-
ing them and their family hope. Yes, there is life after Cancer.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO): The 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 as well as palliative care of this disease.
There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year
(IARC Globocan, 2008). Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide,
both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the inci-
dence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase
urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.
Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detec-
tion of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detect-
ed early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast
cancer can be cured!
Get Your Breast Exam! You are worth it!
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