WEDNESDAY WORD: Mammograms Can Help Save Lives

Are you ready to go pink to save more women's lives? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Unfortunately, many women skipped their routine mammograms over the past couple of years due to the pandemic. Regular mammograms are vitally important by detecting cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Join the movement to educate women about breast cancer and the importance of mammograms by wearing pink Friday, Oct. 22 for BJC Goes Pink Day. It's Your Turn to Be a Breast Cancer Educator: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer and the second-leading cause of death in American women. Men are also at risk—nearly 2,700 men will be diagnosed this year.

Every person of every age should be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer. These include:

A new lump or mass
Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt)
Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)
Breast or nipple pain
Nipple retraction (turning inward)
Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking or thickened
Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or around the collar bone

Early detection saves lives. Any of these symptoms should be reported to a health care professional. Sometimes early breast cancer doesn't have any noticeable symptoms. That's why mammograms or other screening tests are so important.

While more treatment options are available than ever, some women are still hit harder than others by the disease.

Unfortunately, Black women are more likely to develop breast cancer at a younger age — often under the age of 45. These breast cancers are also often found at a later stage with a more aggressive type of the disease.

A mammogram is the best preventive tool in the fight against breast cancer for every woman. Research shows breast cancer survival is higher in women who participate in regular screenings, which can help find cancers early so they can be treated before they have a chance to spread.

Take action today and remind a fellow student, friend or loved one to get a mammogram if they're age 45 and over and to watch for breast cancer symptoms. You could help save a life.

Go Pink on October 22: Students, faculty and staff at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing are encouraged to join employees across BJC HealthCare to wear pink on Friday, Oct. 22 for BJC Goes Pink Day. This "Pink Out" increases breast cancer awareness and is a healthy reminder about the importance of mammograms.

Share your selfies and photos wearing pink! Send them to [email protected] and check out the pink wave in Goldfarb's upcoming e-newsletter.