I think pretty much everyone is aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the time of year we see a big push to increase awareness of the disease, offer information and support to those affected by breast cancer and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. I personally feel that breast cancer is something we should be aware of year round because it definitely isn’t picky about when it strikes. I don’t know if any of you have had breast cancer or family members who have battled the disease, but my family has. My grandmother fought it, and my Aunt just had a double mastectomy a couple of weeks ago. It’s terrifying, not just for the afflicted, but for everyone that loves them.
As a woman who is at risk because I it has run in the family, I’m scared. To be completely honest and maybe a little shallow, it’s not the possiblity of death that scares me – it’s the potential loss of my breasts – one of the main feature that makes a woman a woman. It may sound vain, but it would bother me and it would hinder my intimate relationships and my self-confidence. But that’s just one of the horrible truths about this disease so anything we can do to help research and awareness, is something I can stand behind.
The Facts About Breast Cancer
- Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women, with skin cancer being the first.1
- About 1 in 8 women born today in the U.S. will get breast cancer at some point in their lives.1
- Approximately 231,340 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.1
- Breast cancer patients with employer-sponsored health insurance spend $6,553 out-of-pocket.2
Now those are some pretty frightening statistics if you ask me!
Things I Want You to Think About This October
- Early detection is key
- Even as the second most common cancer among women in the United States, millions of women are surviving breast cancer thanks in part to early detection and improvements in treatment.3
- Consider insurance policies that can help ease worries about the financial cost of breast cancer if it were to occur.
- For most U.S. companies, fall marks open enrollment season, which means now is the time you can review your employer-sponsored benefits offerings and choose the health insurance policies that best meet your financial and health care needs.
- When caught early, the survival rate for breast cancer is as high as 99 percent5, but the diagnosis can be accompanied by an expensive treatment regimen. Aflac’s cash benefits can help policyholders pay the out-of-pocket costs associated with costly cancer treatments.
- A cancer insurance policy can be used not only for treatment expenses not covered by major medical insurance, but also for extra child care that may be needed, transportation to and from the doctor or treatments, and even everyday living expenses, such as mortgage payments or groceries.
- If you or a family member does end up being diagnosed with breast cancer, or any cancer, you want to be able to focus on recovery not finances, and a cancer insurance policy can help you do just that.
- Watch this video video to see how Aflac’s cancer insurance policy helped policyholder Celia through her breast cancer journey.
How Aflac is supporting the cause this Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Aflac will be partnering with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) again for its second annual “This Duck Wears Pink” campaign.
- Aflac is selling a variety of campaign-related merchandise including the plush duck, hats and a breast cancer ribbon pin, with all the net proceeds going to the AACR for the specific purpose of funding research aimed at finding a cure for breast cancer.
- Aflac supports the groundbreaking work of the AACR – the first and largest cancer research organization in the world with a membership of more than 35,000 professionals residing in 101 countries working on the front lines of the effort to eradicate cancer. The AACR backs every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research.
- You can donate and shop for merchandise here.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
It is so sad that women have to pay this much out-of-pocket if they face a breast cancer diagnosis, which is in itself devastating enough. I am so glad there are insurance and cash benefits options. In the Netherlands, we have mandatory health insurance which covers the medical care and treatment associated with cancer, but unfortunately no longer covers psychosocial care.
My cousin just had a lumpectomy a few weeks ago and I hate to see her struggle. Thanks for helping to raise awareness.
I like to support companies that launch campaigns for a good cause. Cancer is terrifying and I hope they find a cure soon.
The big “C” is awful and there are SO many people effected by it. The more people are willing to do to raise money the better! Kudos to AFLAC for doing this.
Wonderful post, I love all of the information. The only thing I did not see was how many males are affected by Breast Cancer or even a mention to the fact that men are also affected by Breast Cancer, that would really be informative information as many still are unaware of that.
It’s great to see Aflac bringing awareness to this issue and funding research. I love that we can support the cause too!
I love the “this duck wears pink” campaign. I think it is so important to get the word out about breast cancer. It affects so many women.
Breast cancer is really scary. A friend of mine who is younger than me was just diagnosed. Its scary that it can happen to anyone! I’m very appreciative to companies like Aflac that help to fund research.
It is such a shame that cancer has to touch nearly everyones life like it does. It is a sad fact. Hopefully one day they can find a cure. Results to sound favorable but it needs to happen quickly.
Thank you so much for this post! It’s so important to stay knowledgable about these things!
I love that AFLAC is jumping on board to support this cause. The more awareness it brings, a better outcome it will be.
Treating cancer is very difficult and very costly as there are lots of medicine and procedures that have to be done. Donations and support system from foundations, the government, and non-profit organizations will truly help.
Such a great post! Cancer awareness of all kinds is so very important!
xo Adriana – Daily Dose of Design
Breast cancer and other cancers run in my family so this is definitely something I think about often. I would also be worried about losing my breasts, I know that is not the biggest worry but that would so hard for any woman even though they know it may be their only chance.
I didn’t know skin and breast cancer were the top two offendors. I just cancelled my first mammogram. I really need to get it rescheduled.
I am a big fan of the duck! It is wonderful that there are services and companies like this to help make a difference in the fight against cancer. Yay for good corporate citizens!
I think Aflac is a wonderful thing to have! I had surgery a few years ago and was off work for almost two months, the extra benefits I could have gotten would have been nice.
This is excellent for any woman over 35! I love the awareness that has grown and the commitment to stop breast cancer that has arisen over the years.
This is all very important information and I’m glad that Aflac is involved.
Thank you for sharing this. The Bic C happens all too often, I’m glad that Aflac is donating.
Breast cancer awareness has always been dear to me. I lost a wonderful aunt in ’95 because of breast cancer.
This is a great cause and something we all need to be aware. It is so important to get checked every year and do the self exams ever month. Thanks for sharing the awareness and information.
Kudos to Aflac for creating such a great campaign. I love it when companies or organization help and give back.
My family have lost three people from cancer and we definitely support any cause about big C. Thanks for sharing this.
It is so important to do self exams. I am lucky to live in Canada and all the testing is covered.
I love that we take a month each year to really focus on this great cause. You’re right, cancer is horrible for everyone involved.
I don’t personally know anyone affected by breast cancer. I’m a big supporter of this campaign though. I love that the whole month of October is dedicated to Breast Cancer.
It’s so important that we have early detection. I hate seeing the recommended age being pushed back, cancer runs in my family unfortunately.