From the desk of Senator David PearceA quick Internet search on cancer reveals upwards of 200 different types of cancers. Not every type has a day or month singled out to recognize and bring awareness to it, but the one that will fatally strike approximately 39,510 women and 410 men this year in the United States does have such a designation.
October has been designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month since 1985. The aim of coordinating the awareness month was to inform the public that early detection via mammogram was, and continues to be, the most effective weapon in our arsenal against breast cancer. This crusade for awareness continues and has expanded in the form of a rallying token, the pink ribbon, originally introduced as the symbol for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The month of October is utilized for many breast cancer awareness events, including the
Race for the Cure in many areas, and
Breast Cancer 3-Day events.
Relay for Life events are also impactful in spreading awareness, even if those events are focused more on the overall disease of cancer. In these local events, which are sponsored by and support the American Cancer Society, pink is the most typical awareness color visible.
Pink ribbons, pink t-shirts, pink light bulbs, and pink cereal boxes are all just a few of the items available at local grocery and department stores. The color pink and the ribbon have become synonymous with breast cancer awareness, one of the most recognizable brands of our era. When you see that pink ribbon, or even pink arm bands on NFL players, you know that a cause is supported by that presence.
The topic of breast cancer awareness is of great importance to me. My mother, Loneta, lost her battle with the disease in 1990. I wish that no other family need suffer that loss. As a legislator, I will continue to support and promote measures within the Missouri General Assembly that will work to further awareness, provide treatment of this unbiased thief, and promote the most up-to-date procedures.
In the United States today, breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths among women. According to the American Cancer Society, some 226,870 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2012. Those women and their families deserve the support given to them by utilizing the month of October and the color pink as beacons of hope in the fight against this dreaded disease.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
