October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to come together, raise awareness and champion the importance of early detection. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. It accounts for about 30% of all new female cancers each year, according to the American Cancer Society. This year more than 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, and more than 42,000 women will die from breast cancer. Overall, the average risk of a woman in the U.S. developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%, a 1 in 8 chance.
However, there is much good news to celebrate. The five-year relative survival rate in the U.S. for all types and stages of breast cancer combined is 91%. The five-year relative survival rate in the U.S. of localized (early-stage) breast cancer is 99%. Early detection allows doctors to find cancer before it spreads, offering more treatment options and better outcomes. For many women, however, especially those in underserved communities, access to mammograms is limited due to financial barriers. Many are either uninsured or underinsured. Women from underserved communities face the highest risks of late-stage diagnosis because they lack access to routine screenings like mammograms. With your support, we can change that.
At West Cancer Foundation, we believe that every woman deserves access to breast screenings and mammograms, regardless of their financial situation. That is why the Foundation provides free breast screenings to Memphis women in need. To support this important, life-saving free service, we launched our Give a ‘Gram campaign. Give a ‘Gram lets you donate money to help fund a mammogram (or several, if you’re feeling generous), providing early detection and improving treatment protocol for the best chance at a long, healthy life. For as little as $20, you can help provide free mammograms to women who might otherwise go without this critical screening. These screenings could be the difference between life and death for someone’s mother, sister, wife or friend.
Join Us in the Fight
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s work together to raise awareness and take action. By donating to our Give a ‘Gram campaign, you’re making a lasting impact on someone’s life. Share the campaign with your friends, family, and social networks using #Giveagram—every donation helps ensure that more women can receive the care they need.
Together, we can continue the fight against breast cancer and give more women the gift of early detection. Visit www.giveagram.org to donate today and help fund mammograms for women in need. Give a ‘Gram. Save a life.
