Hello Newgrounds members. It is the month of October again. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween and I'm sure many others here do. Before we start thinking of the wonderful color of orange, give some thought to the color pink. I am a supporter of supporting the fight against not only breast cancer, but many other forms of cancer and this is a time when we can all pitch in.
What is Breast Cancer?
First off I think it is important to answer the question of what is cancer. Why? Because chances are most people who don't know what breast cancer is probably don't even know what cancer is. So here we go...
Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. Each organ in the body is made up of various kinds of cells. Cells normally divide in an orderly way to produce more cells only when they are needed. This process helps keep the body healthy. If cells divide when new cells are not needed, they form too much tissue. This extra tissue, called a tumor, can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancer. Eighty percent of all breast tumors are benign. They can usually be removed, and, in most cases, they don't come back. Most important, the cells in benign tumors do not invade other tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign breast tumors are not life-threatening.
Malignant tumors are cancer. The cancer cells grow and divide out of control, invading and damaging nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how breast cancer spreads and forms secondary tumors in other parts of the body. This spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Breast cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
So fellas out there, although it is rare, you could get breast cancer as well. It is important to bring this up and to also support in getting the word out as well as finding a cure and doing whatever you can to help.
So that is why I support the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
What is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.
If you're a woman or a man with a girlfriend, fiancee, wife, mother, sister, or close cousin then it is important that you know what the stages are in both men and women as well as who you can contact to find out more.
Where can I get contact information?
Well the site I already mentioned The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month site has a good bit of information. However I can give some of the information to you below here.
- American Cancer Society
- Cancer Research
I know that this whole news post sounds preachy, but this is truly something I support and try to get word out on. No type of cancer is good and although Newgrounds makes plenty of jokes about it I know I do, when it comes down to reality, it's not a joke.
So I ask that you kindly take time out, to sit down with your family or friends and possibly talk about this if you haven't been to the doctor in a while or if there is something amiss. If you're family and friends are already doing fine then I ask instead that you lend out your hand to help others.
Hold an event in your town, neighborhood, or city. Try to do something at your school, local business, or college. To get the word out and help others if you can. There are other ways you can help by going to a Making Strides event near you. Help by collecting money to donate to fight against cancer. Try to get media attention from your area.
I wish to fight against any and all cancers, it already took one of our beloved Newgrounds members Edd Gould, I don't want to lose another Newgrounds member to cancer or anybody else. If there is anything that could be done to prevent, treat, or at the very least, make the final days be better then I don't see why someone of good health can't do their part to help one another.
