#National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[prince-ofthe-stars]

I've gone pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Join me in helping the fight against Breast Cancer. You can either scan the QR code or follow this link to donate 💕

[roisinivy]

September is PCOS Awareness month. Last year I made a post including all of the common symptoms. As it's nearly a year since my diagnosis, I thought I would share my story of being diagnosed...

I started showing symptoms of having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS for short) when I was 14, in 2018. I went 9 months without a period, started growing body hair in places that are not considered 'normal' for women, gained a lot of weight, started getting very oily skin and acne.

When my mum queried this with a doctor, she was told I was just a teenager having an irregular phase and that no doctor would seriously look at a diagnosis for me until I was at least 16.

(what my mum didn't know is that I was being groomed and had been assaulted, which is when I developed binge eat disorder, which also accounted for the weight gain...)

By the time I had turned 16 in 2020, covid had put the uk into a second nation wide lockdown and completely ruined an already struggling NHS.

I didn't see a doctor about my PCOS until a month before I turned 19, due to all of the backlog.

My doctor ordered a blood test, and an ultrasound of my ovaries at a nearby hospital. The blood test was completed within a week, but it took me 6 weeks to get my first scan. I am still a virgin, and due to being sexually assaulted when I was younger, I was extremely nervous about having something in me and to have a nurse/doctor see me like that.

The external ultrasound was incredibly painful, having a bladder full of two liters of water pushing down onto you. The nurse couldn't get a good enough view, so I went to relive myself before having what would be my first of three ultrasounds.

The nurse took one look at my scan and confirmed I definitely had polycystic ovaries, she could also see I had ovulated. I knew I would be having my first period in 4 months in December of 2023. This was the last period I had, it was the worst I'd had in a very long time.

On my first scan, a large cyst was spotted, so I would need a second one due to the size of it. It was roughly the size of a ping-pong ball. My ovaries are also swollen to about three times the size they should be.

By my second scan, it had disappeared. I had a third as a precaution, which was also clear of anything concerning.

I then started taking Cerelle birth control in February.

I have had two bartholin cysts (infection of the vagina), hives, extremely sore breasts on and off, nausea, low libido, acne, increased body weight, tiredness, rashes and so much more caused by my birth control...

But it's preventing me from having an increased risk of developing cancer when I'm older, masking my symptoms so that I can have a 'normal' life whilst living with PCOS.

Although I still grow a better beard than my 18 year old brothers thanks to the increase androgen lol

I don't know how long I'll stay on birth control, or if I'll have to use other treatments, but this is my PCOS journey so far.

[beardedmrbean]

Medical professionals were aware of at least one case of cancer thought to be linked to a hormonal medication taken to aid gender transitioning, leaked documents from a worldwide transgender nonprofit organization suggest.

In a report released on Monday, the think tank Environmental Progress published hundreds of messages it said were from an internal forum of members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), in which they discussed gender-affirming treatment and the complications that had arisen from particular cases.

The report comes amid a national debate on gender-affirming health care, as states across the U.S. have introduced legislation to limit treatment for young people who identify as transgender.

Among the messages is one, dated February 24, 2022, in which a person—identified by the report as a doctor—said a colleague developed hepatocarcinomas, or liver tumors, after eight to 10 years of taking testosterone.

"To the best of my knowledge, it was linked to his hormonal treatment," the message said. "Unfortunately I don't have much more details since it was so advanced that he opted for palliative care and died a couple months after."

Newsweek could not independently verify the authenticity of the messages, which appear in the report as screenshots and printouts, and many have names redacted.

When approached for comment, a WPATH spokesperson did not confirm the veracity of the messages, but said it "stand[s] opposed to individuals who misrepresent and de-legitimize the diverse identities and complex needs of this population through scare tactics."

A potential link between testosterone—which regulates pubic development, and which biological males produce naturally more than females—and liver cancer has been noted before.

A 2020 paper published in The Lancet detailed one case in which a 17-year-old transgender man developed liver tumors after taking testosterone. The patient was advised to stop taking testosterone, and the study said the relationship between the hormone and the tumor growth was unknown.

Another study, published in October, found cases in which transgender individuals receiving hormone therapies developed liver tumors, but it said the results were "not sufficient to conclude that there is an association" between the two.

Gender-affirming hormone therapies have also been linked to other forms of cancer—though research has so far been inconclusive.

A 2019 study of transgender adults in Amsterdam found there was an "increased risk of breast cancer in trans women" who had received hormone therapy compared to biological men.

However, last year, another study in the U.S. found that while there were signs of cellular changes with some hormone treatments, testosterone "does not appear to increase risk for breast cancer" and "additional studies are needed to investigate the mechanism responsible for these changes at a cellular level and its role in cancer development."

The message referring to a case of liver cancer was seemingly in response to an earlier one, posted in December 2021, detailing an instance of a 16-year-old patient who had developed hepatic adenomas, benign liver lesions, after being on testosterone for a little over a year and a synthetic form of progesterone.

Hepatic adenomas are rare, but they are associated with oral contraceptive pills and are seen in patients treated with anabolic steroids, according to the National Library of Medicine.

In the messages, the WPATH members discussed academic papers, asked for advice on issues surrounding gender-affirming care and shared their professional experiences. Environmental Progress said the leaks showed members appeared to be improvising treatments and, in some cases, spoke out against safeguarding requirements.

Michael Shellenberger, the president and founder of Environmental Progress, said in a statement that the leaks show that WPATH members "know that the so-called 'gender-affirming care' they provide can result in life-long complications and sterility and that their patients do not understand the implications."

While proponents of gender-affirming care say that such treatments help overcome gender dysphoria—and that barriers to treatment can worsen the mental health of those who feel they are trapped in the wrong body—opponents say that a rise in young people exhibiting gender dysphoria may be in part a product of wider mental health issues that should be identified and addressed before changing a person's body.

Dr. Marci Bowers, president of WPATH, told Newsweek in a statement that it "is and has always been a science- and evidence-based organization whose recommendations are widely endorsed by major medical organizations around the world.

"We are the professionals who best know the medical needs of trans and gender diverse individuals—and stand opposed to individuals who misrepresent and de-legitimize the diverse identities and complex needs of this population through scare tactics."

Bowers added: "Gender, like genitalia, is represented by diversity. The small percentage of the population that is trans or gender diverse deserves healthcare and will never be a threat to the global gender binary."

Update 3/6/24, 4:10 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comment from Marci Bowers of WPATH.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.13

Holidays

Agricultural Workers’ Day (Russia)

Artist’s Day (Ukraine)

Astronomy Day

Azerbaijani Railway Day

Blame Someone Else Day

Bonn Phchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day; Cambodia)

Chuuk (Teachers’ Appreciation Day; Micronesia)

Clean the Crumbs Out of the Broiler Oven Day

Cold Turkey Day

Cultural Workers’ Day (Belarus)

Dashain Festival (Nepal)

Dia del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Argentina)

Durga Puja (a.k.a. Dasain (Sikkim, India)

Dussehra (a.k.a. Durga Ashtami; Parts of India)

English Language Day (UK)

Festival of Unmediated Play

Fox Mulder Day (X-Files)

Geologic Map Day

Ghatasthapana (Nepal)

Global Fertilizer Day

Good Samaritan Day

The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)

International Cassette Store Day

International Civility for the Girl Child Day

International Day for Failure (a.k.a. National Failure Day)

International Day For Natural Disaster Reduction (UN)

international Day of Education in Prison

International EarthCache Day

International Plain Language Day

International Skeptics Day

International Suit Up Day

John Peel Day

Karva Chat (Himachal Pradesh, India) [Women’s Festival Only]

King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Military Hydrographer Day (Russia)

Modern Mythology Day

National Chess Day

National Erection Day

National Guinea Pig Day (Peru)

National Headband Day

National Herpes Awareness Day (Australia)

National No Excuse Day

National ‘That’s What She Said’ Day

National Transfer Money to Your Son Day

Navy Establishment Day

No Bra Day

Oilfield Prayer Day (Oklahoma)

Paramedics’ Day (Poland)

Peach Day (French Republic)

Prince Louis Rwagasore Day (Burundi)

Railway Employees Day (Azerbaijan)

Rwagasore Day (Burundi)

Silly Sayings Day

Swiftie Day

Tacksägelsdagen (Thanksgiving; Sweden)

Templars Day

Train Your Brain Day

Treat Yo’ Self Day

Vietnamese Entrepreneur’s Day (Vietnam)

Wan Tamruat (a.k.a. National Police Day; Thailand)

White House Day

Witches’ Festival (Elder Scrolls)

World Bank Action Day

World Cage Free Day

World Thrombosis Day

World Zombie Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National M&M Day

National Peanut Day

National Pumpkin Day

Yorkshire Pudding Day

Independence & Related Days

None Known

2nd Sunday in October

Bokbierdag (National Bock Beer Day; The Netherlands) [ website ] [2nd Sunday]

Clergy Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]

Drink Local Wine Week begins [2nd Sunday]

Father-Daughter Day [2nd Sunday]

Good Thief Sunday [2nd Sunday]

Grandmother's Day (Florida; Germany) [2nd Sunday]

Grandparents’ Day (Hong Kong) [2nd Sunday]

Pastor Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]

Sandwich Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Shojo Festival (Narumi Hachimangu, Nagoya, Japan) [2nd Sunday]

Sleepy Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

Survey Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]

White Sunday (American & Western Samoa) [2nd Sunday]

World Day of Aunts & Uncles [2nd Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 13 (2nd Full Week of October)

Anti Poverty Week [Australia]

Drink Local Wine Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Earth Science Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Healthcare Security and Safety Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Improve Your Home Office Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Infection Control Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

International Credit Union Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Int’l Credit Union Day]

International Infection Prevention (or Protection) Week (thru 10.19)

Meditation Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

National Case Management Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

National Chestnut Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

National Food Bank Week (thru 10.19) [Week including 10.16]

National Lone Wolf Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

National School Lunch Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

National Veterinary Technician Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

Nuclear Science Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

Pet Peeve Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Teen Read Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Columbus Day]

YMCA With our Violence Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

Festivals Beginning October 13, 2024

The Chocolate Expo (Manchester, New Hampshire)

Doi Taikomatsuri (Japan) [thru 10.15]

Dunellen HarvestFest (Dunellen, New Jersey)

Troy Chowderfest (Troy, New York)

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Autumnale VI (Pagan)

Alan Turing Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Alexandrina of Balasar (Christian; Blessed)

Allan Ramsay (Artology)

Arna Bontemps (Writerism)

Arrabiata Sauce Day (Pastafarian)

Campanella (Positivist; Saint)

Colman (Christian; Saint)

Conrad Richter (Writerism)

Daniel and companions, of Ceuta (Christian; Saints)

Edward the Confessor (Translation of the Relics Day)

Fautus, Januarius, and Martialis (Christian; Martyrs)

Fontanalia (a.k.a. Fontus; Old Roman God of Wells & Springs)

Gerald of Aurillac (Christian; Saint)

Herblock (Artology)

Maddalena Panattieri (Dominican Order of Preachers; Christian; Blessed)

Mariotto Albertinelli (Artology)

Miracle of the Sun

Moley the Mole (Muppetism)

Our Lady of Fatima (Roman Catholic)

Seven Friar Minors (Christian; Martyrs in Morocco)

Terry Frost (Artology)

Theophilus of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Very Saucey Day (Pastafarian)

Walasse Ting (Artology)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

All About Eve (Film; 1950)

The Babysitter (Film; 2017)

Badlands (Film; 1973)

Batman: Death in the Family (WB Animated Film; 2020)

A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond (Children’s Book; 1958)

Bee at the Beach (Disney Cartoon; 1950)

Billy Elliot (Film; 2000)

The Bon Bon Parade (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1935)

Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke, by Daidōji Yūzan (History Book; 1943)

Crimes and Misdemeanors (Film; 1989)

Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race, by Queen (Songs; 1978)

Fly with von Drake (Disney Animated TV Special; 1963)

The Foreigner (Film; 2017)

The Fowl Ball (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Goodbye Christopher Robin (Film; 2017)

Harvey (Film; 1950)

Hell House, by Richard Matheson (Novel; 1971)

The House of Mirth (Film; 2000)

Jane the Virgin (TV Series; 2014)

The Last Witch Hunter (Film; 2015)

Linda McCartney’s Sixties: Portrait of an Era, by Linda McCartney (Book; 1992)

Look Who’s Talking (Film; 1989)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Animated Film; 1993)

…Nothing Like the Sun, by Sting (Album; 1987)

Riley’s First Date? (Pixar Cartoon; 2015)

The Rum Diary (Film; 2011)

The Scarlet Letter (Film; 1995)

The Seventh Seal (Film; 1958)

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), by Beyoncé (Song; 2008)

The Sultan’s Birthday (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1944)

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Concert Film; 2023)

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, by Edward Albee (Play; 1962)

Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys (Novel; 1966)

Yankee Dood It (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

, by Prince (Album; 1992)

Today’s Name Days

Eduard, Gerald (Austria)

Bogoljub, Eduard, Romul, Teofil (Croatia)

Renáta (Czech Republic)

Angelus (Denmark)

Ebba, Ebe, Epp (Estonia)

Taija, Taina, Tanja (Finland)

Géraud (France)

Andre, Eduard, Koloman (Germany)

Agathoniki, Chrysi, Florentia, Florentios, Karpos (Greece)

Ede, Kálmán (Hungary)

Benedetto, Edoardo (Italy)

Irma, Mirga (Latvia)

Eduardas, Edvardas, Mintaras, Nortautė, Venancijus (Lithuania)

Tarjei, Terje, Torgeir (Norway)

Daniel, Edward, Gerald, Geraldyna, Maurycy, Mikołaj, Siemisław, Teofil (Poland)

Agatodor, Agatonica, Andrei, Carp, Papil (Romania)

Koloman (Slovakia)

Eduardo, Fausto (Spain)

Berit, Birgit (Sweden)

Eddie, Eddy, Eduardo, Edward, Edwardine, Ned (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 287 of 2024; 79 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of Week 41 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 15 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 11 (Geng-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 11 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 9 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 17 Orange; Threesday [17 of 30]

Julian: 30 September 2024

Moon: 80%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 7 Descartes (11th Month) [St. Thomas Aquinas]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 22 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Libra (Day 21 of 30)

[madamlaydebug]

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Spread the word about mammograms and raise awareness about the importance ...

[versatileer]

FYI: National Mammography Day + Breast Cancer Awareness Month – 2024 http://dlvr.it/TGP15Q

[recentlyheardcom]

Jenna Fischer Discusses Breast Cancer Diagnosis In 1st Interview: EXCLUSIVE

Just over a week after Jenna Fischer publicly revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, the former “The Office” actor is opening up about her journey, treatment and how her mindset has shifted. On Oct. 8, Fischer, 50, shared an Instagram post for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, revealing she had been diagnosed with Stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer in December 2023. She wrote that after…

[loscerritoscommunitynews]

The Key to Surviving Breast Cancer is Early Diagnosis and Treatment

As the nation observes October as national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s vitally important for women to have a good understanding of this potentially deadly disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),about 42,000 women in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Also, Black women have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than all other women. Consider…

[sdargan1]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: In honor of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

[dignityandhopehospice]

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month:  What You Should Know

Prominence and Hope

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc, more than 360,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, making breast cancer the second leading cancer death in women.  The positive news from this daunting statistic is that with advancements in early detection methods the chances of survival continue to increase.  When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate of breast cancer is 99%.

History of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October has been dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, also known as Pinktober.  Breast Cancer Awareness “Month” began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in partnership with Imperial Chemical Industries, a British company that made tamoxifen. The campaign eventually grew into a month-long event.  In 1992, the pink ribbon came into play after Alexandra Penney, SELF magazine's Editor-in-Chief, partnered with Evelyn Lauder, Estée Lauder's Senior Corporate Vice President and a breast cancer survivor, to distribute pink ribbons after the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. Other variations of the pink ribbon have been introduced in recent years to raise awareness that all people with breast cancer are not the same. These include ribbons for raising awareness about metastatic breast cancer, men with breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, and more.  Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to educating people about breast cancer, including its early signs and symptoms, as well as increasing awareness and reducing the stigma linked to the symptoms and treatment of breast cancer.

It's also important to recognize that while some feel inspired, others living with breast cancer feel like the month overlooks their experience with the disease. Breastcancer.org states it perfectly, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a trigger — 31 days in the fall of pink-ribbon reminders of a disease that forever changed them. For others, it’s a chance to show their support for the more than 2 million women around the world who are diagnosed with the disease each year.” What You Should Know

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:

A breast lump or thickened area of skin that feels different from the surrounding tissue.

A nipple that looks flattened or turns inward.

Changes in the color of the breast skin. In people with white skin, the breast skin may look pink or red. In people with brown and Black skin, the breast skin may look darker than the other skin on the chest or it may look red or purple.

Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast.

Changes to the skin over the breast, such as skin that looks dimpled or looks like an orange peel.

Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the skin on the breast.

Risk Factors

The exact cause of most breast cancers isn't known. Researchers have found things that increase the risk of breast cancer. These include hormones, lifestyle choices and things in the environment. 

Factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer include:

A family history of breast cancer. If a parent, sibling or child had breast cancer, your risk of breast cancer is increased. The risk is higher if your family has a history of getting breast cancer at a young age. The risk also is higher if you have multiple family members with breast cancer. Still, most people diagnosed with breast cancer don't have a family history of the disease.

A personal history of breast cancer. If you've had cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of getting cancer in the other breast.

A personal history of breast conditions. Certain breast conditions are markers for a higher risk of breast cancer. These conditions include lobular carcinoma in situ, also called LCIS, and atypical hyperplasia of the breast. If you've had a breast biopsy that found one of these conditions, you have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.

Beginning menopause at an older age. Beginning menopause after age 55 increases the risk of breast cancer.

Being female. Women are much more likely than men are to get breast cancer. Everyone is born with some breast tissue, so anyone can get breast cancer.

Dense breast tissue. Breast tissue is made up of fatty tissue and dense tissue. Dense tissue is made of milk glands, milk ducts and fibrous tissue. If you have dense breasts, you have more dense tissue than fatty tissue in your breasts. Having dense breasts can make it harder to detect breast cancer on a mammogram. If a mammogram showed that you have dense breasts, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Talk with your healthcare team about other tests you might have in addition to mammograms to look for breast cancer.

Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Having your first child at an older age. Giving birth to your first child after age 30 may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Having never been pregnant. Having been pregnant one or more times lowers the risk of breast cancer. Never having been pregnant increases the risk.

Increasing age. The risk of breast cancer goes up as you get older.

Inherited DNA changes that increase cancer risk. Certain DNA changes that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-known changes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2. These changes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but not everyone with these DNA changes gets cancer.

Menopausal hormone therapy. Taking certain hormone therapy medicines to control the symptoms of menopause may increase the risk of breast cancer. The risk is linked to hormone therapy medicines that combine estrogen and progesterone. The risk goes down when you stop taking these medicines.

Obesity. People with obesity have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is higher.

Prevention

Making changes in your daily life may help lower your risk of breast cancer. Try to:

Ask about breast cancer screening. Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional about when to begin breast cancer screening. Ask about the benefits and risks of screening. Together, you can decide what breast cancer screening tests are right for you.

Become familiar with your breasts through breast self-exam for breast awareness. You may choose to become familiar with your breasts by occasionally inspecting them during a breast self-exam for breast awareness. If there is a new change, a lump or something not typical in your breasts, report it to a healthcare professional right away.

Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day, if you choose to drink. For breast cancer prevention, there is no safe amount of alcohol. So if you're very concerned about your breast cancer risk, you may choose to not drink alcohol.

Exercise most days of the week. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you haven't been active lately, ask a healthcare professional whether it's OK and start slowly.

Limit menopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with a healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask a healthcare professional about healthy ways to lower your weight. Eat fewer calories and slowly increase the amount of exercise.

What If?

Have you thought about the what if?  That’s a pretty Debbie-Downer question, isn’t it?  But, what if you or a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer.  A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Knowing what questions to ask can help you understand your diagnosis and advocate for yourself as you develop your treatment plan with your doctor. There are many resources that you can find online to know what these questions are.

You may feel stress, shock, fear, sadness, anger and grief after a breast cancer diagnosis. These feelings are normal. Some people find joining a support group or talking to a counselor or therapist helpful in coping with these feelings.  Seek out support and resources… don’t feel like you have to be alone in your journey.

How to Support Someone With Breast Cancer

When a loved one or friend has cancer, you may wonder how best to help and support them. Research has shown that emotional support from family and friends can make a big difference to the quality of life of someone with cancer.

People are often afraid of saying the wrong thing to someone with cancer. If you are open, honest and show your concern then you can be a great support. Here are some tips that might help you.

Do:

Say if you feel awkward – it acknowledges the situation rather than pretending it’s not happening.

Give them a friendly hand squeeze or hug – it can go a long way.

Ring them up, send a card, note or text to say you’re thinking of them.

Let them know that if they want to talk you’ll be there to listen - then make sure you are available.

Listen actively and without judgement; be a good listener.

Respect their need for privacy.

Offer support throughout the whole diagnosis - at the beginning, during and after treatment.

Share a joke or laugh with them if this seems appropriate.

Keep your relationship as normal and as balanced as possible.

Take them for a coffee or a short walk (if it seems appropriate), being outside in nature can help.

Provide practical support, ie. meals, transportation, run errands, etc.

Try not to:

Say you know how they feel – we can’t ever know exactly how someone with cancer feels.

Tell them to ‘be strong’ or ‘be positive’ or 'fight it' – it puts pressure on them to behave a certain way.

Take things personally if they seem angry or upset or don’t want to talk.

Offer advice that they haven’t asked for.

Compare their situation to somebody else you know, each person’s experience with cancer is unique.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Perhaps this blog contains more information than you feel you “should know” or need to know, but remember that knowledge is power.  With this information, it is the intent for you to feel empowered and educated so that you can choose how, or if, you recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  At Dignity & Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, we choose to support the fighters, admire the survivors and honor those that we have lost too soon.

[blogkennethratcliffeposts]

Breast Cancer Awareness

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[brookston]

Holidays 10.13

Holidays

Agricultural Workers’ Day (Russia)

Artist’s Day (Ukraine)

Astronomy Day

Azerbaijani Railway Day

Blame Someone Else Day

Bonn Phchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day; Cambodia)

Chuuk (Teachers’ Appreciation Day; Micronesia)

Clean the Crumbs Out of the Broiler Oven Day

Cold Turkey Day

Cultural Workers’ Day (Belarus)

Dashain Festival (Nepal)

Dia del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Argentina)

Durga Puja (a.k.a. Dasain (Sikkim, India)

Dussehra (a.k.a. Durga Ashtami; Parts of India)

English Language Day (UK)

Festival of Unmediated Play

Fox Mulder Day (X-Files)

Geologic Map Day

Ghatasthapana (Nepal)

Global Fertilizer Day

Good Samaritan Day

The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)

International Cassette Store Day

International Civility for the Girl Child Day

International Day for Failure (a.k.a. National Failure Day)

International Day For Natural Disaster Reduction (UN)

international Day of Education in Prison

International EarthCache Day

International Plain Language Day

International Skeptics Day

International Suit Up Day

John Peel Day

Karva Chat (Himachal Pradesh, India) [Women’s Festival Only]

King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Military Hydrographer Day (Russia)

Modern Mythology Day

National Chess Day

National Erection Day

National Guinea Pig Day (Peru)

National Headband Day

National Herpes Awareness Day (Australia)

National No Excuse Day

National ‘That’s What She Said’ Day

National Transfer Money to Your Son Day

Navy Establishment Day

No Bra Day

Oilfield Prayer Day (Oklahoma)

Paramedics’ Day (Poland)

Peach Day (French Republic)

Prince Louis Rwagasore Day (Burundi)

Railway Employees Day (Azerbaijan)

Rwagasore Day (Burundi)

Silly Sayings Day

Swiftie Day

Tacksägelsdagen (Thanksgiving; Sweden)

Templars Day

Train Your Brain Day

Treat Yo’ Self Day

Vietnamese Entrepreneur’s Day (Vietnam)

Wan Tamruat (a.k.a. National Police Day; Thailand)

White House Day

Witches’ Festival (Elder Scrolls)

World Bank Action Day

World Cage Free Day

World Thrombosis Day

World Zombie Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National M&M Day

National Peanut Day

National Pumpkin Day

Yorkshire Pudding Day

Independence & Related Days

None Known

2nd Sunday in October

Bokbierdag (National Bock Beer Day; The Netherlands) [ website ] [2nd Sunday]

Clergy Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]

Drink Local Wine Week begins [2nd Sunday]

Father-Daughter Day [2nd Sunday]

Good Thief Sunday [2nd Sunday]

Grandmother's Day (Florida; Germany) [2nd Sunday]

Grandparents’ Day (Hong Kong) [2nd Sunday]

Pastor Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]

Sandwich Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Shojo Festival (Narumi Hachimangu, Nagoya, Japan) [2nd Sunday]

Sleepy Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

Survey Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]

White Sunday (American & Western Samoa) [2nd Sunday]

World Day of Aunts & Uncles [2nd Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 13 (2nd Full Week of October)

Anti Poverty Week [Australia]

Drink Local Wine Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Earth Science Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Healthcare Security and Safety Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Improve Your Home Office Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Infection Control Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

International Credit Union Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Int’l Credit Union Day]

International Infection Prevention (or Protection) Week (thru 10.19)

Meditation Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

National Case Management Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

National Chestnut Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

National Food Bank Week (thru 10.19) [Week including 10.16]

National Lone Wolf Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

National School Lunch Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

National Veterinary Technician Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

Nuclear Science Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

Pet Peeve Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]

Teen Read Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Columbus Day]

YMCA With our Violence Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]

Festivals Beginning October 13, 2024

The Chocolate Expo (Manchester, New Hampshire)

Doi Taikomatsuri (Japan) [thru 10.15]

Dunellen HarvestFest (Dunellen, New Jersey)

Troy Chowderfest (Troy, New York)

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Autumnale VI (Pagan)

Alan Turing Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Alexandrina of Balasar (Christian; Blessed)

Allan Ramsay (Artology)

Arna Bontemps (Writerism)

Arrabiata Sauce Day (Pastafarian)

Campanella (Positivist; Saint)

Colman (Christian; Saint)

Conrad Richter (Writerism)

Daniel and companions, of Ceuta (Christian; Saints)

Edward the Confessor (Translation of the Relics Day)

Fautus, Januarius, and Martialis (Christian; Martyrs)

Fontanalia (a.k.a. Fontus; Old Roman God of Wells & Springs)

Gerald of Aurillac (Christian; Saint)

Herblock (Artology)

Maddalena Panattieri (Dominican Order of Preachers; Christian; Blessed)

Mariotto Albertinelli (Artology)

Miracle of the Sun

Moley the Mole (Muppetism)

Our Lady of Fatima (Roman Catholic)

Seven Friar Minors (Christian; Martyrs in Morocco)

Terry Frost (Artology)

Theophilus of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Very Saucey Day (Pastafarian)

Walasse Ting (Artology)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

All About Eve (Film; 1950)

The Babysitter (Film; 2017)

Badlands (Film; 1973)

Batman: Death in the Family (WB Animated Film; 2020)

A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond (Children’s Book; 1958)

Bee at the Beach (Disney Cartoon; 1950)

Billy Elliot (Film; 2000)

The Bon Bon Parade (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1935)

Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke, by Daidōji Yūzan (History Book; 1943)

Crimes and Misdemeanors (Film; 1989)

Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race, by Queen (Songs; 1978)

Fly with von Drake (Disney Animated TV Special; 1963)

The Foreigner (Film; 2017)

The Fowl Ball (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Goodbye Christopher Robin (Film; 2017)

Harvey (Film; 1950)

Hell House, by Richard Matheson (Novel; 1971)

The House of Mirth (Film; 2000)

Jane the Virgin (TV Series; 2014)

The Last Witch Hunter (Film; 2015)

Linda McCartney’s Sixties: Portrait of an Era, by Linda McCartney (Book; 1992)

Look Who’s Talking (Film; 1989)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Animated Film; 1993)

…Nothing Like the Sun, by Sting (Album; 1987)

Riley’s First Date? (Pixar Cartoon; 2015)

The Rum Diary (Film; 2011)

The Scarlet Letter (Film; 1995)

The Seventh Seal (Film; 1958)

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), by Beyoncé (Song; 2008)

The Sultan’s Birthday (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1944)

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Concert Film; 2023)

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, by Edward Albee (Play; 1962)

Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys (Novel; 1966)

Yankee Dood It (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

, by Prince (Album; 1992)

Today’s Name Days

Eduard, Gerald (Austria)

Bogoljub, Eduard, Romul, Teofil (Croatia)

Renáta (Czech Republic)

Angelus (Denmark)

Ebba, Ebe, Epp (Estonia)

Taija, Taina, Tanja (Finland)

Géraud (France)

Andre, Eduard, Koloman (Germany)

Agathoniki, Chrysi, Florentia, Florentios, Karpos (Greece)

Ede, Kálmán (Hungary)

Benedetto, Edoardo (Italy)

Irma, Mirga (Latvia)

Eduardas, Edvardas, Mintaras, Nortautė, Venancijus (Lithuania)

Tarjei, Terje, Torgeir (Norway)

Daniel, Edward, Gerald, Geraldyna, Maurycy, Mikołaj, Siemisław, Teofil (Poland)

Agatodor, Agatonica, Andrei, Carp, Papil (Romania)

Koloman (Slovakia)

Eduardo, Fausto (Spain)

Berit, Birgit (Sweden)

Eddie, Eddy, Eduardo, Edward, Edwardine, Ned (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 287 of 2024; 79 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of Week 41 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 15 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 11 (Geng-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 11 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 9 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 17 Orange; Threesday [17 of 30]

Julian: 30 September 2024

Moon: 80%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 7 Descartes (11th Month) [St. Thomas Aquinas]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 22 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Libra (Day 21 of 30)

[naturecoaster]

Brooksville City Council Recognizes Several Causes for October

On October 7, 202, during a regular Council Meeting, the Brooksville City Council recognized and praised various causes taking place during the month of October. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer along with national public organizations, professional associations, and government agencies, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women, men and their families. Breast cancer occurs as a result of mutations or abnormal changes in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. There are steps every person can take to help the body stay healthy such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol. This month offers the opportunity to stand with our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends and we recognize all who have joined their loved ones in fighting their battles. The Brooksville City Council invites everyone to attend the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, that will take place on Saturday, October 19, 202. The walk starts at 8:00 a.m. at Hernando Park, located at 205 Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville, FL.  Fire Prevention Week Fire Prevention Week (FPW) is October 6 – 12, 202, this annual campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions everyone can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from fires. The 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” effectively serves to remind Brooksville about the importance of home fire safety. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Families who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire. The Brooksville City Council urges all “Make smoke alarms work for you!”” for Fire Prevention Week 2024, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Brooksville’s Fire and Emergency Services.  White Cane Awareness Day The National Federation of Blindness celebrates White Cane Awareness Day annually. The white cane is the universal symbol for blindness or visual impairment and is used by those who are totally blind or who may have a small amount of vision remaining. In the 1960s, the National Federation of the Blind became a leader in fighting for the rights of the blind and in pioneering innovative training programs using the white cane. At their urging, the United States Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1964 designating October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day and recognizing that white canes enable blind people to travel safely and independently. While the white cane does keep blind people safe (because drivers and other pedestrians can easily see it), it is also a tool that blind people use to explore and navigate our environment. That year, President Lyndon Johnson said, the white cane is the tool that allows the blind to "come and go on own". The City of Brooksville with the cooperative assistance of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind encourages every citizen and employer to recognize and abide by the laws that protect the rights of these citizens.  National Women’s Small Business Month National Women's Small Business Month highlights the benefits and industry women bring to communities where they own a small business. In 1972, there were a little over 400,000 women-owned businesses in the United States. Until 1988, women needed a male relative to co-sign if they wanted to apply for a business loan. That same year, the Women’s Business Ownership Act increased access to capital to provide financial assistance to organizations geared toward women-owned small businesses. By 2019, women-owned businesses represented 42% of all U.S. businesses and generated $1.9 trillion worth of revenue. Today, there are over 13 million women-owned businesses and counting. The City of Brooksville along with our partner, Brooksville Main Street and the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, acknowledges the extraordinary impact of women-owned businesses throughout the city of Brooksville. Brooksville City Council Recognizes Several Causes for October The Brooksville City Council realizes the importance of all of these matters, and they call upon the citizens to join in observing these proclamations and to do their part in these efforts. For more information about these proclamations or resolutions, please contact Jennifer Battista, City Clerk (352) 540-3810 or jbattista@cityofbrooksville.us. Read the full article

[doctorrachelwellner]

An Overview of Cancer Walk Fundraising Events in the US

Nearly two million Americans receive a cancer diagnosis each year. Cancer treatment and care require billions in funding. However, the American government cannot afford it. Therefore, citizens have taken it upon themselves to raise funds in various ways, such as participating in cancer walks.

In 2022, cancer led to 609,360 deaths in the United States, per the American Cancer Society. Common cancer diagnoses include breast cancer, with over 313,000 new cases annually, while lung and bronchus cancer causes the most deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The American Institute for Cancer Research advises the federal government to provide the National Institutes of Health with at least $49 billion in funding, including $7.76 billion for NCI, but it has not reached that amount.

Cancer walks, or run/walk fundraisers and walkathons, bring together community members to show their support for families living with cancer diagnoses and raise money for a cure. While different events have different rules and restrictions, individuals can participate as runners, walkers, or volunteers. Certain events may allow cyclists or pets.

A person participates in a cancer walk by signing up for the event and finding sponsors. Individuals often look to family and friends for sponsors but may also reach out to coworkers and local business leaders. Participants can also use social media platforms to raise greater awareness for a fundraiser. Each sponsor pledges a total sum or a per-mile donation, such as $20 per mile. The walkathon then plays out like a less competitive marathon, with participants pacing themselves to continue for many hours and raise as much money as possible.

There are a few notable charity walk events and organizations in the US. The American Cancer Society coordinates events throughout the country. Individuals can visit cancer.org and search for local run/walk events. The organization also provides resources for individuals to host fundraising events and information about related fundraising opportunities. The 2024 Choose Your Race–DetermiNation Mini Series allows athletes and philanthropists in Chicago to integrate fundraising initiatives with a myriad of events during the year, including trail races, local 5ks, triathlons, and more. The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is another well-known cancer walk.

After a person has found or organized a local charity walk/run event, they should prepare for the event in several ways. Participants should remember that they are raising money for a cause, not trying to win a race. A competitive mindset is unhelpful while preparing for an event. Instead, participants should remind potential sponsors of the positive difference they can make by pledging a donation or signing up to participate in the event. Team-building benefits and opportunities to socialize outside of work are additional positives to highlight when promoting a walk/run event.

That said, individuals must appreciate that they are taking on a physical challenge and may cover many miles over an extended period. Even if a person has no ambition to “win” a charity walk or set a personal best, they should discuss their physical condition with a medical professional before signing up for a walk. Breast Cancer Now recommends participants spend two to three months training for an event.

[versatileer]

ICYMI: National Mammography Day + Breast Cancer Awareness Month – 2024 http://dlvr.it/TG7Kx3

[alyssa-ai]

Your breasts deserve all your attention 🙂 , take care of them, take care of yourself!

Breast Cancer | Awareness month | Pink October