May, 2008, will herald the very first “Global Breast Cancer Early Detection Month”, an effort spearheaded by the “Know Now Foundation” of Scottsdale, AZ., an organization solely dedicated to saving lives through early detection Know Now Foundation. The Foundation selected the month of May for this honor based on the simple premise that until you know you are cancer free, cancer may be present. Either way, you want to “know now”, hence the Foundation’s name.
You Don't Have To Die Of Breast Cancer
Thanks to improved treatments and technology today’s survival rate for breast cancers detected at or before Stage 1 (no more than 2 centimeters in size and has not spread or affected lymph nodes) is virtually 100%. Tragically, only a small percentage of breast cancers are discovered at this very early, very treatable stage even though cancer may be present and growing slowly for up to 10 years before exceeding the Stage 1 classification. It’s very disturbing to realize that there are countless women at this very moment hosting small, very treatable breast cancers, yet they are totally unaware of this lurking danger. How many of these women will needlessly die or suffer disfigurement merely because their cancers went undetected for too long?
Know Now Foundation Co-Founder, Bill Brooksher states: “While there are many organizations diligently pursuing improved treatments and prevention strategies, we fell strongly that emphasis on early detection (our BEST protection) has not received the urgent level of attention it deserves. This is especially distressing when you consider that unlike a cure, the life saving benefit of early detection is fully viable TODAY and not an uncertain future goal.”
Why May Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Because the month of May falls at the approximate mid-way point between the yearly “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” occurring every October, “Global Early Detection Month” will help maintain a high level of awareness for the breast cancer cause in addition to emphasizing life-saving importance of early detection.
