Race for the Cure-Let's Walk to Cure Breast Cancer

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Race For The Cure

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure will be coming to a city near you soon! Are you ready to put on your pink, have some fun and get some exercise too?

Race for the Cure Sacramento

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is going to be in Sacramento, California, on May 7, 2011, at Cal Expo on Arden Way and I-80.

As a daughter and granddaughter of breast cancer survivors (my mom was diagnosed in about 1985 and is still living; my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in the 60s and went on to live until 1991, about age 87), as well as a mother of  twin daughters, I feel very strongly about breast cancer issues and hope that neither I nor my daughters will ever have to face that. But I know the chances are pretty high that one of us could be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in our lives. Although my daughters are only 8 now, in a few years they will be developing breasts. They will have to learn how to do self-exams and ways they can increase their awareness, be pro-active in their lives, and decrease their chances of a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Since my grandmother's diagnosis, I know that there has been many advancements in the treatment of breast cancer and other types of cancer. Thanks to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and other organizations, researchers and more, as well as the support from people all over the world, research continues to make progress and eventually maybe there will be a cure for not only breast cancer, but all types of cancer.

In memory of my grandmother and in honor of my mom, my daughters, and women all over the world, I decided to do this hub.  Thanks for reading.

Quoted from website:

The net proceeds from the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure^®are invested in breast cancer research and community programs.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® and launched the global breast cancer movement.

Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure^® and the 3-Day for the Cure, the organization has invested more than $1.9 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 877-GO KOMEN.

Breast Cancer Facts

What causes breast cancer is not fully understood at this time.  Although it is clear that age and lifetime exposure to estrogen play a role as well as other factors, no one knows exactly what the causes are.  There are no definite ways of preventing breast cancer, but there are many things that can be done to maintain a healthy lifestyle that may minimize the risk of a diagnosis of breast cancer.  Steps in maintaining a healthy drive include, but are not limited to keeping a healthy weight, exercising, limiting alcohol intake, reducing or quitting smoking, and eating a balanced diet.  Women who are at a higher risk can take tamoxifen or raloxifene which aids in reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Anyone can get breast cancer.  Here are some facts about breast cancer.

• The older a woman, the more likely she is to get breast cancer.
• Even women in their 20s can and do get breast cancer.
• White women are more likely to get breast cancer than women of any other group.
• African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than other groups.
• Men can get breast cancer.  One out of every 100 cases of breast cancer will occur in a man.

All women are at risk for breast cancer. Known risk factors like a family history of breast cancer, starting menopause after age 55 or never having children account for just a small number of new diagnoses each year.

Risk Factors

The risk factors include:

• Being a woman;
• Getting older;
• Having an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast cancer gene;
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS);
• Personal history of breast or ovarian cancer;
• Family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer;
• Having high breast density on a mammogram;
• Having a previous biopsy showing atypical hyperplasia;
• Starting menopause after age 55; 
• Never having children;
• Having your first child after age 35;
• Radiation exposure, frequent X-rays in youth;
• High bone density;
• Being overweight after menopause or gaining weight as an adult;
• Postmenopausal hormone use (current or recent use) of estrogen or estrogen plus progestin.

Just having a family member with breast cancer does not mean you will develop breast cancer or that the disease was inherited.  In the United States, only about 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers occur because of inherited mutations.  

The 5-year survival rate for all women diagnosed with breast cancer is 89 percent, which means that 89 out of every 100 women with breast cancer will survive for at least five years. Most will live a full life and never have a recurrence. Chances of survival are better if the cancer is detected early, before it spreads to other parts of the body. In fact, when breast cancer is found early and confined to only the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent. That is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.

1 American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2009-2010.

The best defense in the early detection of breast cancer is to get screened. Regular screening and self-exams are imperative. Mammograms should be done and are the best way to detect breast cancer. A mammogram can detect cancer in the earliest stages, even before a lump can be felt. All women who are over 40 should have mammograms every year. If there is a family history of breast cancer, mammograms may be started earlier than that. Talk to your healthcare provider about the different options available.

Doing self-exams are very important along with the clinical breast exam done by your healthcare provider at the time of your pap smear.  

Race for the Cure! Because we need a cure -- for you, your friends, your daughters, your family, for women and girls (and men) everywhere!  

Boston July 22-24, 2011

Cleveland July 29-31, 2011

Chicago August 5-7, 2011

Michigan August 12-14, 2011

Twin Cities August 19-21, 2011

San Francisco September 9-11, 2011

Seattle September 16-18, 2011

Washington, D.C. September 23-25, 2011

Philadelphia October 14-16, 2011

Atlanta October 21-23, 2011

Tampa Bay October 28-30, 2011

Dallas/Fort Worth November 4-6, 2011

Arizona November 11-13, 2011

San Diego November 18-20, 2011

Interested in some cool pink tools? 

If you like pink, these are some cool pink tools.

I am not affiliated with this company, I do not receive 

monetary or any other benefit from including this, I just 

think they are cool and 

thought others might too.

SEE YOU THERE!