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Feature

The Pink Month

Syeda Sabita Amin

The month of October has just begun. Globally, October is regarded as the Pink month because it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month is recognized by survivors, family and friends of survivors or victims.

A pink ribbon is worn to recognize the struggle that men and women face when battling the disease.
Pink for October is an initiative started by Mathew Oliphant, which asks that any site willing to inform people of breast cancer change their template or layout to include the color pink, so that when visitors view the site, they notice that the majority of the site is pink. Then after reading a short paragraph or so on breast cancer, or being redirected to another site, they are aware of the disease itself.

Everyone seems to know someone with breast cancer, and we all wonder if we will be affected by it someday. Doctor's still can't explain why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn't. Each year 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 43,000 die. Statistically one woman in eight either has breast cancer or will develop it in her lifetime.

Guys, don't think you're off the hook. It is estimated that around 1,600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 die. I myself have seen guys at the Cancer hospital going under the knife. One of them was only just taking his O-level exams. Shocking, isn't it?

Another misconception most people have is that breast cancer happens to older people. It isn't completely false, but the fact is it can also happen to younger people.

There are multiple factors that can trigger breast cancer. Smoking, alcohol, obesity or other unhealthy lifestyles are just some. Another risk factor may be inheritance. If we change just a few things in our daily lives we can prevent it.

If you have any questions look it up or you can visit any of the several clinics and hospitals to find out what you need to know. This entire month is all about awareness. If you know something about breast cancer, tell the others. That person might not know what you know and you can make all the difference in the world, maybe even save a life or two. If detected early, 95% make it to the five year survival period. You can make a difference! Spread the awareness and support it as well.

(The writer is a student of BRAC University)