Latresa Phillips
As the month of October comes to a close, everyone is quick to move into the holiday season.
The jack-o-lantern light flickers to a smolder. The empty candy wrappers collect in the trick-or-treat bags. The turkeys go on sale, and some folks even climb into the attic and drag out the Christmas tree before the sacred bird of Thanksgiving is carved.
But as we say goodbye to October, I hope that you have taken the time to read the features published this month, honoring several wonderful ladies in our community for their survival of breast cancer.
Each story written this month was about a very special woman in my personal life. I have a bond to each one. There were other lovely friends and even family members that were not interviewed, and some that were not here for an interview because they did not make the survivor list.
With each survivor I interviewed, I felt such an honor to share their story. Each beautiful warrior giving credit to the Lord for her healing. I also realize that healing doesn’t always come in survival this side of eternity. For each of my survivors highlighted, I am so glad that God in His mercy and wisdom saw fit to leave these beautiful women here to share their stories and give Him the glory He so much deserves.
Now, let me bring this column home. Many of you may not be aware that breast cancer is not a “women-only” disease. Men can also have breast cancer. The cancer begins in the ducts that carry milk and the glands that make milk. Men have the same ducts and glands in their breasts that women have, even though they do not perform the same tasks. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a male. Several factors can increase a man’s chances of breast cancer including age, genetics, family history and obesity.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. Each year, about 240,000 cases of breast cancer is diagnosed in women; 2,100 of those cases are found in men.
Regular screening increases the chances of finding cancer and pre-cancer cells in all cancers. It is important to know the risk factors and family history of cancer.
As you prepare for the holiday season and begin to make your lists and plan your activities with loved ones, add a screening to your to do list. You and your family will be glad you did. One-in-two men and one-in-three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to cancer.org. Early detection can lead to a survival story.
So before you hang out the red holly berries and green wreaths of the season, don’t forget to pay attention to the pink!
Latresa Phillips is the contributing writer for The Graham Star. She is a retired Graham County Schools teacher and can be reached via email, latresaphillips@yahoo.com.