October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The National Breast Cancer Awareness month was started in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries.  It was kicked off by Betty Ford, who was herself a survivor of breast cancer with a week-long event.  Symbolized by a pink ribbon, its goal is to educate women about breast cancer and the benefits of early detection including promoting mammograms as an important tool in the fight against breast cancer.

If you have wondered about the origin of the pink ribbon, it was first introduced in the national campaign in 1992 by the Estée Lauder cosmetic company.  It handed out 1.5 million ribbons that year as a visual reminder of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Today many of us wear a pink ribbon in October as a way to promote awareness and early detection and treatment as well as to support survivors and those who died from the disease.  The event is observed in countries across the world as each year there are approximately 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer (IARC Globocan, 2008).  It is the most common cancer in women worldwide. 

According to the American Cancer Society, major treatment advances of recent years have made surviving breast cancer way more promising than it used to be.  In fact studies now report a 5-year survival rate of 99 percent for women diagnosed in Stage 1 of the disease.   However doctors are quick to add that every case is different.     

At the MorningStar of Rio Rancho assisted living and memory care community, we support the health and wellbeing of all of our residents.  Available care services are broad, and in addition, each resident has a 24/7 care manager and access to an onsite nurse.  Please visit our website to learn more about our holistic approach to senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.    

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting.  Your loved one deserves the most trusted senior housing Rio Rancho offers! Please see our website.  

Source: who.int/cancer/events/breast_cancer_month/en/