By CAMMIE BAGLEY

Living/Athens Editor

When most people think of October, things such as changing leaves, all things pumpkin flavored and spooky Halloween nights come to mind. 

But for many, this month means something much different than the start of fall. It means bringing awareness to a disease that many women and few men in the world face: breast cancer. 

October has been known as breast cancer awareness month since 1985, when the American Cancer Society partnered with the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries to encourage women to schedule regular mammograms. 

This month is a time to raise money for the cause and increase awareness of breast cancer, which leads to early detection, according to carecyclesolutions.net. 

Early detection is vital to saving women’s lives that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is most commonly found due to an abnormal lump on the breast. 

A lump can be an indicator of a malignant tumor that has developed in the patient’s breast cells. 

According to cancer.gov, the disease usually begins developing in lobule cells or ducts within the breast. 

In time, the cancer cells destroy breast tissue and can enter the lymph nodes. 

There, they can then spread to other parts of the body, and this is known as invasive breast cancer. 

Doctors begin determining the stage of the cancer once it is detected. 

Different stages of diagnosis depend on how far the cancer cells have spread from their original origin. 

The stage of the cancer is a vital aspect in deciding how the patient will be treated. Some treatment options for breast cancer patients include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. 

These treatments all have very negative side effects on the patient’s body, such as nausea and loss of hair.

Breast cancer is something that many women and some men in the world encounter at some point in their lives. 

According to cancer.gov, breast cancer is the second most common cancer found in U.S. women, behind skin cancer.  

Every year, there are around 2,300 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in men and around 230,000 in women. 

This is an epidemic that is devastating to diagnosed women and their families. 

Fortunately, due to early detection and improved breast cancer treatments, breast cancer mortality has decreased in the U.S. by 34 percent since 1990, according to www.komen.org. 

Currently, the mortality rate is 21.5 for every 100,000 women. 

Breast cancer is a very real concern for women of all ages. Though many believe it couldn’t happen to them, that isn’t necessarily true. 

Men and especially women should get regular breast exams. On top of attending yearly check-ups, www.komen.org advises to maintain a healthy weight and avoid excessive alcohol consumption as a way to help prevent the disease. 

Keep in mind that cancer isn’t fully understood, and because of that, there is no miracle prevention method that will ensure that one doesn’t get it. But, it’s still important to keep one’s body healthy to at least try. 

As the month of October begins, consider taking time to have a breast exam done and help support those who have been, and still are, affected by this devastating disease. With more awareness, funds for research and a strong fight against it, hopefully one day there will be a cure. 

Until then, feel for lumps and save your bumps.