Pink October

Cancer: probably the worst of illnesses, one of the most death-causing, and unpleasant ones.

In 2018, over 18 million people were suffering from different sorts of this pathology: lung, skin, kidney, breast cancers and many more. Very few people are cured of cancer, once already with it, after long chemotherapy sessions, causing hair loss, many nerve changes and a long list of side effects.

But what is cancer? Cancer is the disease which characterizes the multiplication and proliferation of an abnormal cell in the body. It spreads very quickly and destroys the human organism. It is developed when the body’s mechanism flaws but can also be triggered because of an unhealthy lifestyle. According to the NHS, these are the most cancer cause factors: tobacco, cosmetics, red meats and too long exposure to sunlight. Other chemicals found in industrial foods are responsible too.

Now, this article is here to talk about breast cancer; others are important too, but October is for boobs! That is a very weird thing to say, indeed, but we are here to make that normal!

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and reaches women more often, though men also suffer from it. Death leading consequences is sadly due to the fact that this illness isn’t diagnosed in the earlier stage of it. Any of us could actually be sick, without knowing it because of lack of awareness on this subject.

October or Pink October is the month of the year devoted to a maximum of consciousness on this topic. No taboos! Pink is worn, the money given to charities for this cause, and research to find a solution to this vast problem. It is advised to women to check their breasts on a monthly basis after each period (there are many videos on the internet which show who to proceed) so that if anything unusual shows up, they can visit their local doctor and be properly diagnosed. This avoids finding out later in her life by surprise that she is a cancer prey.

One of the solutions to breast and ovary cancers is breastfeeding: breastfed children, especially girls are less exposed to these cancers as well as the mother herself.

This horrible pathology is often described or personified as a crab or a spider, and such sentences are heard quite often: The crab got Me.’, because of shame and embarrassment the consequences of it bring. But do not be intimidated by this monster, because with the popularization we will make of it, and support we’ll bring to each other, it shan’t scare anyone anymore.

The pink month is almost over, but the awareness its shares should continue all year long- so be part of it and share this with all women you know: take care and check yourselves!

Maya Amber El Haddioui

Official Writer for Poetry United

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37136#stages