October is your chance to help spread the word about early detection
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and presents an opportunity for you and your co-workers to create awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection.
Know the facts
As the second most common kind of cancer in women, breast cancer will affect about 1 in 8 women born in the United States today. Fortunately, women can survive breast cancer if it is detected and treated early.
What is the best method for detecting breast cancer early?
A mammogram.
In addition, breast cancer doesn’t affect only women. According to the American Cancer Society, about 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer in males will be diagnosed in 2015, while approximately 440 men will die from breast cancer.
How you can help
It’s all about creating awareness. Early detection can make a difference, and so can you. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is simply to talk about it. Whether it is encouraging women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their doctors about when to start getting mammograms, or organizing an event to talk to men and women in the community about the importance of early detection, you can make a difference!
How your office can get involved
As a part of the community, your office can be a great resource for spreading the word. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Include information regarding breast cancer screening in your newsletter – the National Health Information Center provides a sample announcement in their free toolkit
- Add information about the importance of mammograms and early detection to your website homepage using a web badge also provided by the National Health Information Center
- Use social media as a tool to spread the word and show you care—whether it’s your company’s Facebook page, Twitter account or LinkedIn page—these are all ways to get people talking with helpful information, such as:
°Not sure where to get your mammogram? (Provide local facilities for reference)
°Your first mammogram? Here’s what to expect (provide link to Mayo Clinic)
- Display posters about breast cancer screening in your company’s breakroom
- Depending on your organization’s structure, perhaps arrange for an afternoon off or an extended lunch hour for employees wishing to schedule their mammogram during work hours.
- Participate as an organization in a breast cancer awareness walk or event in your area. To get more coworkers and customers involved, hold a contest to see who can come up with the most clever team name (such as Save 2nd Base, Cups Running Over, Twin Peaks…you get the idea!).
So take advantage of the month of October to create awareness and potentially save lives. It’s a great way to create camaraderie in the office and help the community at the same time. Should you have questions regarding mammogram screenings for breast cancer or any other diagnostic procedure, be sure to check with the experts at POM MRI & Imaging Centers for the answers you seek.