Breast cancer awareness has a primary goal of saving lives by increasing awareness of the disease. Awareness functions as an outreach program to help those diagnosed with breast cancer as well as educating all women on the importance of early detection through self-exams and mammograms. Breast cancer awareness also takes the form of setting up support systems for women undergoing treatment as well as their families. Awareness also encompasses fund raising to support breast cancer research. Finally, breast cancer awareness functions to help individuals cope with the life-altering impact of a breast cancer diagnosis in oneself, a family member or friend.
Outreach
Outreach is an integral part of breast cancer awareness. Individuals who have been directly affected by breast cancer offer comfort and support to newly diagnosed women and their families. This outreach can include sharing the latest medical information available as well as identifying resources for patients. Outreach also involves professionals contacting patients to address concerns with medical care, treatment plans and emotional support for the patient, family members and friends. Many breast cancer survivors perform outreach to extend a helping hand to women facing the same breast cancer challenges.
Education
One of the most important aspects of breast cancer awareness lies in educating women about the disease. This education function not only provides information to recently diagnosed patients but also to those family members at risk. Education programs exist to increase awareness of the disease and effectively perform self-exams. Education also takes the form of discussing treatment options with new patients. Breast cancer awareness in its basic form aims to educate women and families about the risks of breast cancer and subsequent treatment successes with early detection.
Support
Breast cancer awareness also targets individuals undergoing treatment with support services. Some individuals have their lives touched by cancer with the loss of a loved one. In many cases, these individuals choose to reach out to the community's cancer patients with a helping hand. Support services can take the form of providing meals or transportation to treatment, house cleaning, financial aid, babysitting help or counseling. Many people actually become volunteers on oncology wards due to their own increased awareness of breast cancer and their need to be proactive.
Fund Raising
One of the world's largest breast cancer awareness foundations is the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Susan's sister founded the awareness group in her honor after Susan lost her battle with breast cancer. This awareness foundation has generated over $1 billion in support and research funds since 1982. Foundations such as Komen make regular donations to scientific groups researching breast cancer treatment and cures. Fund raising also allows for donations from individuals and corporations to benefit research foundations in the hope of finding a cure. Donations are used for education, funding grants for outreach, research and programs targeting women who don't have access to adequate care.
Personal Fulfillment
Breast cancer awareness takes on a personal note when a family member is affected. The helpless feeling of a sick relative or even one who cannot recover from the cancer often spearheads an effort by family members to reach out to help others in need. Awareness and outreach often help people cope with the loss of a loved one. In some cases, individuals find participation in breast cancer events helps empower them to lead a healthy life and help others facing breast cancer. Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month encourages everyone to participate in breast cancer education, fund raising and early detection.
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