Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Awareness, Support & Strength

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings renewed attention to breast cancer and the millions of people whose lives are affected by it.

But behind the pink ribbons and awareness campaigns are real people. Those waiting for test results, adjusting to a new diagnosis, undergoing treatment, recovering from surgery, living with metastatic breast cancer, celebrating milestones, supporting someone they love, or remembering someone they have lost.

At Hudson & Broome, we believe Breast Cancer Awareness Month should be about more than simply wearing pink. It is an opportunity to encourage awareness, share reliable information, support those going through treatment and recognize the strength of patients, survivors, families and caregivers.

Breast Cancer Awareness Starts With Understanding

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in the United States, although men can develop breast cancer as well.

There isn't one single breast cancer experience. Treatment and prognosis can vary considerably depending on the type and stage of cancer, tumor characteristics, a person's overall health and many other factors.

Treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments.

For some people, treatment lasts months. For others, particularly those living with metastatic breast cancer, treatment may continue for much longer.

That is an important part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month too: recognizing that everyone's experience is different.

Knowing Your Normal Matters

Breast awareness means becoming familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel and speaking with a healthcare professional about changes that concern you.

Possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer can include:

- A new lump in the breast or underarm

- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

- Changes in the size or shape of the breast

- Dimpling or irritation of the breast skin

- Changes involving the nipple

- Nipple discharge other than breast milk

- Persistent changes or pain in the breast or nipple area

Having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has breast cancer. Many breast changes have non-cancerous causes. However, new or unusual changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional rather than ignored.

It's also important to remember that breast cancer does not always cause noticeable symptoms, which is one reason appropriate screening is so important.

Don't Put Off the Conversation About Screening

Breast cancer screening recommendations aren't identical for everyone.

Age, personal medical history, family history and other risk factors can affect when and how someone should be screened. Rather than assuming one schedule applies to everyone, talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk and when mammograms or other screening may be appropriate for you.

If breast cancer runs in your family, or if you're concerned about your personal risk, tell your healthcare provider. That information can be important when determining whether additional evaluation or genetic counseling should be considered.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a good annual reminder to have those conversations.

Supporting Someone With Breast Cancer

When someone you care about is diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing what to say or do can be difficult.

You don't need to have the perfect words, sometimes support is simply being present.

Offer to drive someone to an appointment. Bring dinner without waiting to be asked. Pick up groceries. Walk the dog. Sit with them during an infusion. Help with school pickup. Send a message that doesn't require a response.

And remember that support shouldn't automatically disappear when treatment ends.

Recovery can continue long after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation is completed. The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis may continue as well.

One of the most meaningful things we can do is allow someone to experience cancer on their own terms, without expecting them to always be positive, inspirational or strong.

Remembering the Caregivers

Breast cancer affects more than the person receiving the diagnosis.

Partners, parents, children, siblings, friends and other caregivers often become an essential part of someone's treatment and recovery.

They may attend appointments, manage medications, prepare meals, help with surgical drains, coordinate transportation, care for children and provide emotional support, all while managing their own fear and uncertainty.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, caregivers deserve recognition too.

If you know someone caring for a person with breast cancer, consider checking on them as well.

Making Recovery a Little More Comfortable

This is where our work intersects with the breast cancer community.

Some people undergoing breast cancer treatment have told us about practical challenges that aren't always obvious until you're experiencing them yourself.

After a lumpectomy, mastectomy, double mastectomy or breast reconstruction, for example, raising the arms and pulling clothing overhead may be uncomfortable. Some patients leave surgery with surgical drains that need to be carried and managed during recovery.

People receiving chemotherapy may need frequent access to an implanted port or IV. Treatment appointments can also involve spending long periods sitting in hospitals and infusion centers.

These aren't the biggest challenges someone faces during cancer treatment. But they're everyday challenges that thoughtful design can help make a little easier.

That's why Hudson & Broome creates mastectomy recovery clothing, surgical drain pajamas, recovery robes, adaptive hospital gowns, chemotherapy clothing and port-access apparel designed to provide discreet medical access while still looking and feeling like regular clothing.

Our recovery pajamas and robes, for example, include internal pockets for surgical drains. Other adaptive pieces are designed to provide easier access for ports, IVs and treatment. Our goal is simply to make getting dressed one less thing to think about.

What to Put in a Breast Cancer or Mastectomy Recovery Care Package

If you're putting together a gift for someone preparing for breast surgery or going through treatment, think about comfort and practicality rather than trying to create the "perfect" cancer gift.

Depending on the person and their treatment, thoughtful additions might include a soft blanket, comfortable socks, lip balm, a reusable water bottle, a long charging cable, a favorite snack, something to read or watch, front-opening recovery pajamas or a robe with surgical drain pockets, and a personal note.

Most importantly, consider the individual. What one person finds helpful may not be useful to someone else.

Sometimes asking, "What would make this week easier for you?" is more valuable than guessing.

This October, Awareness Is Only the Beginning

Breast Cancer Awareness Month lasts for October. For people affected by breast cancer, the experience doesn't end when the calendar turns to November. So this month, we hope awareness leads to something more.

Learn about breast cancer, pay attention to changes in your body, talk with your healthcare provider about appropriate screening, and check on someone going through treatment. Remember the caregivers. Support organizations doing meaningful work in breast cancer research and patient care. And above all, remember the people behind the pink ribbon.

To everyone currently undergoing treatment, recovering from surgery, living with metastatic breast cancer, celebrating survivorship, supporting someone they love, or remembering someone they've lost:

We see you. We are thinking of you. And we're with you this October and beyond.

This article is intended for general educational and awareness purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.