Every year around this time, in addition to the pumpkins and changing leaves, pink ribbons take over! But as an increasing amount of cancer survivors (both breast and otherwise) are pointing out, cancer is not something to be made light of and to be seemingly wrapped up in a bright pink bow. Every 2 minutes, someone is diagnosed with breast cancer. While the survival rate is somewhere around 87%, breast cancer is still considered one of the leading causes of death for women between 40 and 50 years of age and claimed approximately 39,620 lives in 2013 alone.
Every year throughout the month of October, pink ribbons appear to be almost as plentiful as falling leaves; and what started as a well meaning annual campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer, has erupted into something of an almost festival-like status. While it’s wonderful to celebrate overcoming something so life altering, let’s not forget what the pink ribbon truly symbolizes.
It’s true; no one ever wants to think about dying. But what happens when the person fighting for their life is a friend or a beloved family member? It’s easy to dissociate ourselves from the realities of something as scary as cancer, but in doing so we really only hurt ourselves. The symbol of the pink ribbon was never meant to trivialize or downplay the seriousness of breast cancer, it was only ever meant to raise awareness. But what does raising awareness really do? By this point, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know what breast cancer is, but what it is really trying to do is to educate people as to the importance of screenings and early detection.
As is the key to combating any illness ranging from something as serious as cancer, all the way down to the common cold, early detection is the key to overcoming any health problem in record time. According to ruskhospital.org, “when breast cancer is found early, the five year survival rate is 96%”. So how exactly can breast cancer be detected so early? According to various sources, scheduling annual mammograms is a must if you are within the high risk age group or if there is a history of breast or ovarian cancer that runs in your family. So what makes mammograms so great? Mammograms can detect the presence of breast cancer up to two years prior to it growing large enough to even be felt.
No one could ever mean to suggest that something as scary and messy as cancer could easily be wrapped up into a glamorous little pink bow. But if seeing the pink ribbon symbol could lead to even 1 person asking questions about breast cancer, who is at risk, and what they can do to make sure that they are in the clear – then isn’t it worth it?
Every year as a result of the raising of awareness, millions of dollars are raised in October and beyond to help fund breast cancer research and education in an effort to find the search for a cure and here at Holmes Stamp & Sign we’re trying to do our part. Whether you are a part of a larger breast cancer awareness group, or just want to spread the word yourself, we have four different breast cancer awareness stamps for you to choose from. Whether you would like to turn all flat surfaces into a symbol for breast cancer awareness or you wish to have an accompanying message attached to the ribbon, we’ve got plenty of designs for any and every stamping purpose.
Are you local to the Jacksonville area and want to get involved? We’ve got a bunch of upcoming events for breast cancer awareness month! Don’t hesitate to join a local walk or bike ride for a good cause!