Pink is typically associated with Spring, Schiaparelli or that fabulous Audrey Hepburn movie, Funny Face.  And, while it is the color for princesses and ballerinas, it is also the color of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Fight for the Cure which we celebrate this month.

The statistics tell us that one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  To some this is just a number, but when I sat down to write this article, I realized how much that number means in my own circle of family and friends.

Over the last handful of years, in my little circle the following women have been diagnosed with breast cancer:  my sister-in-law, my best friend’s mother, my mother’s good friend’s daughter, two friends of a friend (at the same time), a co-worker, a friend’s sister, a colleague’s wife.   That is eight women that I know and while most of them were diagnosed early with Stage 1 or 2 and are beating the disease and thriving today, two of these brave women lost their battle with this wicked, awful illness.

The Susan G.Komen for the Cure, started by Nancy Brinker who was a caregiver to her sister for which she named the organization, reports that 230,480 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year (and 2,140 men).  More than 39,520 of these women and 450 of these men will lose their battle.  The hopeful news is that breast cancer incidence has dropped two percent every year since 1998 and there are more than 2.5 million survivors among us today.

While we know there are some factors that increase your risk for being diagnosed (women over 40 are the highest risk group for this disease, family prevalence is another risk factor), the reality is there is no crystal ball.   Some women with numerous risk factors never develop the disease while those with no risk factors get a shocking and sudden diagnosis.

Two Angels Who Battled Bravely

Take the following two cases of friends who were both in their thirties when diagnosed with this insidious disease – proving that the “typical” or “average” risk factors don’t always apply.

In the case of my mom’s friend’s daughter, she was 36 when she went through a lumpectomy and the painful chemotherapy that follows.  At one point it appeared that she had licked this monster only to have her very aggressive, rare form of breast cancer (there are many different types of breast cancer) recur and eventually take her too young life (she was only 41 when she passed away).

Her mother, the patient, loving caregiver watched her beautiful daughter lose her hair and held her hand during painful three-hour chemotherapy treatments.  Even though her daughter is gone, this wonderful woman continues to visit with breast cancer patients and see the loving nurses who hoped that a cure would be found in time to save her daughter.

In the other loss, a friend’s sorority sister was diagnosed when she was nursing her second child at the age of only 34.  She fought bravely but lost her fight at 39 when her children were only five and eight years old.  Her husband, who had been her primary caregiver through her breast cancer battle, instantly found himself “dad” and “mom” to his two young girls.

Schedule Your Annual Mammogram – Today!

While I know that in the last year there has been controversy around how soon and how frequently women should be getting a mammogram – the two examples above show us that waiting can be a bum deal.

I had my own scare 10 years ago (also in my mid-30s) when I found a lump during a “shower exam” (which is important to do despite the fact that you might feel like you’re in a solo make-out session).  I believed it was nothing but after the mammogram and ultrasound didn’t pass muster with my doctor, a core-needle biopsy was planned.  I told only one close friend who went with me for this out-patient procedure – I figured why concern my family and others for no reason? (I now know I was in denial and kind of numb).

I have to give a “shout out” to my caring, wonderful nurses at Hoag Hospital who so understood the fear in my eyes and made sure I felt surrounded by love during the procedure.

I waited two days (which my friend said was a positive sign – she was convinced if I had cancer they would have called me within hours.  I wanted to be hopeful but my cynical side “they’ll get to it in their own sweet time.”)

Diagnosis:  benign.  My doctor said the bad news is that I had fibrocystic breast tissue (e.g., lumpy, dense), the good news is that this would keep “the girls” from sagging sooner rather than later (later being now – 14 years later).

As with any chronic illness, prevention is key.  For those women over 40 – submit to the sadomasochistic annual exam (why can’t they create a machine to conduct this test without the pain of having your sensitive breast being squeezed in a vice?  Believe me if men had to put their sensitive parts in a vice for an exam – you’d see a new machine developed pronto!).

I’m also sounding the clarion call especially for family caregivers to get their annual mammogram.  A National Alliance for Caregiving study showed that 22% of female caregivers over 40 do not get their annual mammogram. Make a commitment to schedule this exam.  If you need to find free or low cost mammogram screenings visit the American Cancer Society Web site.

I adhere to my annual exam (my advice – plan it during the right time of the month and take at least two Advil an hour before).

Shop for the Cure (Think Pink)

And, for those of you who love shopping like me – I know budgets are tight, but think about supporting the companies who support breast cancer research and services.

My favorites?  Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony gear (I have everything in this line including my favorite yoga mat), Kitchen aid’s “Cook for the Cure” line of pink mixers (yes I have one) and other kitchen gadgets, Estee Lauder cosmetics (great pink lipsticks) and just about any other great brand name out there.

If you’re in saving mode these days (like me) wear pink this month (even if it’s just a little ribbon) and hope that a cure will be found – soon.