Editorial: Stay informed during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10/2/07 - October. Most associate the 10th month of the year with Halloween, pumpkins and apple picking. Maybe for sports fans, it means the football season. But a more important issue may be overlooked during this month. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a national campaign aimed to increase awareness and education of this often-deadly disease. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women, besides skin cancer. The foundation estimates that about 200,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,000 will die from it. Shockingly enough, this number includes men.

Early awareness of the disease is one step toward prevention. Eating healthy, exercising and limiting alcohol consumption can be some ways to help decrease the risk.

To help further reduce these numbers, the foundation advises that all women ages 20-39 receive a clinical breast exam every three years and a mammogram every year for women 40 and older.

But despite the staggering statistics, there is still hope out there. Someday there might be a cure for breast cancer, and all cancers for that matter. Perhaps support of the sciences as well as completion of a college education can help lead us one step further to finding a cure.

Here at the University of Rhode Island, such steps are being made with the construction of the much-anticipated College of Environmental and Life Sciences building. Maybe research will be conducted in the building's new updated laboratories that will aid in the fight for finding a cure.

The American Cancer Association estimates that there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the county. That number alone is a reason to celebrate.

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, based out of Rhode Island, will be holding "Flames of Hope-A Celebration of Life" as part of this Saturday's Waterfire in Providence. Members of the community can take a 30-minute drive to the city to help this cause. Attendees will also witness a torch parade of breast cancer survivors and supporters and see the Statehouse illuminated in pink.

If that doesn't fit one's schedule, take part in one of the many breast cancer awareness walks scheduled during the month.

On Oct. 14, the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place at Roger William's Park in Providence.

If neither of these suggestions work out, simply stay informed help spread awareness of the cancers that claim the lives of thousands of people, including our loved ones, every year.

Every little bit of effort counts in finding a cure for the disease.