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Breast Cancer Wristbands
To raise money for breast cancer awareness and research, breast cancer wristbands have been wrapped around the wrists of many supporters. The heightened response for the pink wristbands came on the heels of Lance Armstrong’s dangling yellow wristband for his support in helping bring awareness about prostate cancer.
After a legal battle over the use of a breast cancer symbol between a cancer survivor, a magazine and a cosmetic mogul, the color “pink” was born to for all things related to breast cancer awareness.
People wear breast cancer wristbands not only to support anyone who has been affected by breast cancer but to raise eyebrows on how to eradicate this devastating disease.
Every year for the month of October, many people celebrate “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. This month features products including the wristbands. Many workplaces, schools and other institutions throughout the United States and beyond host “pink” days.
Although the month of October is recognized as breast health month, many people wear their wristbands all year around to support breast cancer awareness.
It has been reported that more than 250,000 women per year are diagnosed with breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer unfortunately increases by age. For example, medical professionals break down the odds like this: women between 20 and 40(there will be 1 out of 200 to develop breast cancer), women between 40 and 60(there will be 1 in 20 women to develop breast cancer) and women between 60 and 80(there will be 1 in 11 women to develop breast cancer).
On a daily basis, women produce new tissue cells in their breast ducts. The cells main job is divide and re-multiply. When something goes wrong with the cell regeneration, abnormal cells are produced. The abnormal cells are usually found in the ducts and the milk glands (lobules). If the abnormal cells clump together and centered inside the ducts and lobules, this is called “non-invasive breast cancer.” If the abnormal cells invade through the ducts and lobules, this is called “invasive breast cancer.”
When the diagnosis is non-invasive breast cancer, there are two types of identifying the features of the cancer. One feature is “ductal carcinoma in situ”(DCIS). Another feature is “lobular carcinoma in situ”.
When the diagnosis is invasive breast cancer, there are two types of identifying the features of the cancer. One feature is “infiltrating ductal breast cancer”. Another feature is “invasive lobular breast cancer”.
Mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 35. Women less than 35 usually have other tests performed to detect breast abnormalities. Women over the age of 50 are recommended to have mammograms every 2 years and for women within the ages of 35(if changes are detected) and 50 are recommended to have a yearly mammogram.
Once breast abnormalities have been picked up by either self exams or mammograms, women need to see a specialist who deals with breast problems.
Breast cancer wristbands honors the survivors of breast cancer, to remember those who lost their lives in fighting breast cancer and to bring awareness to those who are fighting the disease now. Breast cancer wristbands support research on new medical treatments and technologies to fight breast cancer.
One company that has stepped out against the use of wristbands to promote breast cancer awareness is a San-Francisco based organization called “Breast Cancer Action(BCA)”. The BCA has developed a campaign entitled “Think Before You Pink”. This campaign tries to send a message about how breast cancer awareness products are falling victim to over marketing strategies and commercialization tactic. BCA strives to get consumers to donate for research and treatments without harming the true intention of raising awareness for breast cancer.