Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Show You Care with Flowers

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the ideal time to have the tough conversations and celebrate the victories. For many people, breast cancer has robbed them of years of their life, quality of life, or loved ones. And because it is such a significant disease, it’s worth talking about, raising awareness of, and fighting back from it.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is critical to raise awareness of the risks and the importance of early detection. While prevention may not always work, detection can mean the difference between life and death. At FromYouFlowers, we believe flowers are a very good way to start that discussion.

What Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign aimed at helping to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of screening. Numerous organizations support the efforts each October, including the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer nonprofit organization.

Breast cancer impacts 2.3 million women around the world, and there is no clear way to prevent it in all cases. However, breast cancer screenings can help with early detection, a clear tool that saves lives. Data shared by Susan G. Komen shares that:

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.
• In 2022, 44,000 people in the US died from breast cancer.

History of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries launched Breast Cancer Awareness in 1985 as a way to talk about and raise awareness of the risks of breast cancer. Since then, the adoption of the color pink as a symbol of breast cancer awareness has grown, and throughout the month, you are likely to see many organizations that use this time to bring awareness campaigns into full view. Improving public understanding and supporting research for breast cancer are two core elements of this campaign.

• In 1974, Betty Ford, the former First Lady, started the conversation with an open and honest discussion about her mastectomy, which made a tremendous difference in public perception.
• In 1992, the iconic pink ribbon was used to begin raising national awareness to breast cancer.
• In 1998, the FDA Office of Women’s Health launched Pink Ribbon Sunday as a way to encourage women to get mammograms for early detection.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month was formed in the years to come, creating a variety of public awareness campaigns that are meant to help women learn about their risks for developing breast cancer and how to get help. You can play a role in it in your own way.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways you can play a role in breast cancer awareness, no matter your age, family history, or experience with the disease.

• Perform self-examinations and understand the importance of early detection. If you are a woman, be sure you get mammograms early, when your doctor recommends them. And, support women in your life in doing the same.
• Consider playing an active role in community events. Numerous breast cancer awareness events could be happening in your community, including through local medical providers, cancer centers, research facilities, and local charities. Find a way to participate.
• Share your stories and experiences with others. The best fight against breast cancer is awareness of the importance of early detection.

Consider volunteering at a local hospital or medical center with oncology programs. Ask your family medical practitioner to offer informative packets or support an educational seminar to raise local awareness.

Use Flowers as a Way to Draw Attention During Breast Cancer Awareness Week

One of the most important ways you can play a role in raising attention to breast cancer is simply to encourage women of all ages to put the time into self-screening and annual mammograms. The color pink is heavily associated with breast cancer awareness and has been since the 1990s. With flowers, you can drive home the importance of this week in several ways:

• Have flowers delivered to your local family practice office for display. Choose a vibrant pink display like the One Dozen Light Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Roses. Request that your local provider encourage conversations about cancer.
• Send flowers to a local lab that performs mammograms for display. For example, you can have Pastel Daisy & Rose Delight, with its vibrant pink and white flowers, delivered to a mammogram lab to remind visitors to the lab to get their screenings done.
• Send flowers to a survivor you know. Send Rose and Lily Celebration, one of the most stunning pink bouquets available, to someone you know who’s made it through the battle. In doing so, you may encourage them to share stories and discuss what they wish they had known or done before.

No matter what you do, even if it is a simple conversation with someone you love, talking about breast cancer awareness is not something anyone should put off. Instead, make it the life-changing conversation your loved ones, friends, and family need to hear.

Support and Resources

There are numerous ways to get help if you are worried that you may be facing breast cancer or you want more information. Start with your doctor. Let your doctor help you understand your risk and guide you in performing a self-examination. Then, talk about routine screenings based on your family history.

Invest the time in learning about the disease. The Breast Cancer Foundation is an excellent resource for those looking for information and support. Turn to local support groups in your community for women with breast cancer. If there isn’t one, you may be able to start one.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches, know what your options are. Turn to your doctor for immediate help or send flowers to anyone you know who is facing this battle. Give them strength and hope while also educating future generations.