The month of October is coming to an end. I read many valuable posts across all social media accounts during breast cancer awareness month using the hashtag #BCAM. Some even called it breast cancer action month. I like that. One day out of this month was set aside for male breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, and breast reconstruction awareness day. That is fantastic to bring this awareness but, my tag line during October, “No Pink Today” simply means I feel we need have breast cancer and breast reconstruction awareness year round.
Why Breast Cancer Awareness is Important Year-Round
Statistics do not lie. This is taken from The American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures 2022.
In the US in 2022, invasive breast cancer will be newly diagnosed in an estimated 287,850 women and 2,710 men, with an additional 51,400 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed in women (Table 1; Figure 3). An estimated 43,780 breast cancer deaths (43,250 in women, 530 in men) will occur in 2022.
American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures
These figures alone are enough to answer the question, “Why is breast cancer awareness important year-round?” Note; these are only U.S. statistics. Thankfully with social media, global awareness gives us the opportunity to understand what other countries are doing and to realize we have work to do year-round assisting those marginalized and who aren’t provided education for early detection and proper treatment.
Why Breast Reconstruction Awareness is Important Year-Round
The third Wednesday of each October is set aside for #BRAday, breast reconstruction awareness day. It began in Canada in 2011 by a plastic surgeon in Toronto. Breast reconstruction awareness day is now a global movement. The intent is to provide education and resources for those affected by breast cancer. This includes access to care and knowing all your options for reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. Without a cure for breast cancer, information about breast reconstructive surgery is an important part of patient care and decision making.
Since my own DIEP flap in December of 2014, I have been participating in #BRAday at some level. This year was no different. I returned to San Antonio to the practice where I had my breast reconstruction, PRMA. There was a great deal of time and effort put into this event by the staff and surgeons at PRMA as well as volunteers and patients who attended. This is what I am grateful for.
A Note of Gratitude after Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day
My heart is full when I think about the number of people involved in this event. I have known them for several years since my second diagnosis of breast cancer in 2014. The evening of BRA day, my reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and his colleague, Dr. Steven Pisano were at the event. They had performed surgery that day and yet, there they were, speaking to, engaging with, and educating patients about their work as microsurgeons. I also met and talked to Dr. Chet Nastala and PRMA’s new surgeon, Dr. Lauren Whipple, who had also performed surgery the day of the event. Thank you all for being there for those of us affected by this disease. It always means a lot. Dr. Andrew Gassman sat down with me to do an interview the day after BRA day about high definition DIEP flaps.
Gratitude to BRA Day Volunteers
The volunteers who worked the tables, set up the event, and patients who were there to share their stories, breast reconstruction results, scars, and demonstrate having a nipple areola tattoo by Terry Lively was inspiring. I asked two friends to help me at the booth I set up representing my Foundation, DiepCFoundation. Each of us had our surgery performed at PRMA by Dr. C. These two volunteers are friends for life. Sandra hosted me at her home for the week toting me around San Antonio. Together we did advocacy work from Monday through Friday of that week. We visited Rose’s House, a place for patients to stay while they are in recovery from breast reconstruction surgery. Another visit included a patient who just had her DIEP flap the week prior to my visit.
The other volunteer at my table was Ronnie, who shared the story of her own diagnosis and reconstruction with so many. She worked a full day. Even with two boys and her husband at home, she said yes when I asked her to volunteer that evening. In my absence, my friend Carla who helps administrate my private Facebook group stood in for me all week and answered questions, offered support, and was there for those we often call, “Journey Strong”.
Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction Year Round
Along with these amazing organizations, individuals, and communities, I will continue to educate, inform, empower and provide support to those affected by breast cancer. It is an important, year-round effort to bring awareness to breast cancer and breast reconstruction.
