October is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pink October) around the globe. In Qatar, organisations observing the campaign follow the lead set by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) through its National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening programme, Screen For Life.
According to HMC, awareness is a very effective tool that greatly increases a breast cancer patient’s chances of survival. By providing the public with the knowledge they need through information about the disease, including prevention and early detection, hopefully, more lives can be saved.
PINK RIBBONS
Using ribbons as tokens of remembrance can be traced back to the 19th century when American women wore ‘yellow ribbons’ to remember loved ones serving in the military. In 1992, American writer Alexandra Penne and breast cancer survivor Evelyn Lauder (also the senior corporate vice president of Estée Lauder) teamed up to create a ‘pink ribbon’.
It was said that the Estée Lauder Company went directly to their makeup counters with 1.5 million ribbons and along with pink ribbons, every woman who came to these counters were given a self-exam card for breast cancer. This campaign brought for the company over 200,000 pink ribbon petitions aimed at the US government, asking for increased funding for breast cancer research.
The pink ribbon, the colour chosen to symbolise health, has since then become synonymous with breast cancer awareness. The global awareness that was raised through the pink ribbon initiative of the Estée Lauder Company helped early detection for breast cancer, and made women become more aware of the importance of doing regular breast self-examinations. It also helped raise funds directed towards finding a cure.
LOCAL AWARENESS DRIVE
Screen For Life usually conducts free screening for women 45 to 69 years old as part of their Breast Cancer Awareness programme. Screening is also recommended at least every three years for women within this age group even without symptoms.
Please note that the free screening service at Screen For Life is currently not available, following the precautions undertaken to curb the spread of COVID 19. However, for updates and more information about the programme, you can call 800 1112 and visit their website at screenforlife.qa
Blossom The month of October sees Careem announcing a partnership with the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) to launch a ‘Pinkoctober’ initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer. The “Blossom ” campaign that QCS launched to raise awareness about this type of cancer.
This partnership allows Careem users to donate QAR1 with
every ride by booking the “Go Pink” car type on the app. Customers can also support the cause by donating their reward points toward patients’ medical expenses.
WAYS TO TAKE PART IN BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
1 October – Wear a pink ribbon daily in October
At the start of the month, commit to wearing pink every day during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Hand out pink ribbons to everyone at home, school or the office. Encourage your employees to wear it daily as a reminder and to keep conversation opportunities open about breast health.
2 – Educate yourself
It’s always important to educate yourself before educating others. Go online and use reliable sources to learn about breast cancer in your country, region and across the world. There are always new things to learn as scientific research continues to discover new things every day.
3 – Then educate others
Use social media or any other tool of communication to remind people of BCAM and bring awareness (and support) to the cause. Sharing facts about breast cancer or cancer in general with others may save a life.
4 – Donate
Bring awareness, support and donate to breast cancer charity organisations as well as research initiatives of your choice. Charities focused on patient support and research are in critical need. In Qatar, you can support Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) and Al Amal Hospital.
5 – Breast cancer awareness bulletin board
Decorate a bulletin board in a highly-trafficked area and encourage others to use their talents for raising awareness. Keep it simple with facts or create a themed board to draw more attention.
6 – ‘Lunch and Learn’
‘Lunch and Learn’ with a breast cancer survivor! Invite a breast cancer survivor to speak at a lunch at your office, school or event. Share first-hand accounts of why prevention measures are so important.
7 – Get a mammogram
Get a mammogram if necessary and remind others of the importance of screening. Contact Screen For Life (details given above). Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.
8 – Help out someone you know who has cancer
If you know somebody who has cancer, ask how you can help – and actually help. Help them with their chores or errands or just spend the day with him or her. Or maybe drive him or her to their chemo session!
9 – Visit a local cancer hospital or centre
Visit a local cancer hospital or centre and spend time with the patients and let them know they’re remembered.
10 – Bake breast cancer-themed cookies or cupcakes
Bake cupcakes with pink frosting or ribbon-shaped cookies decorated in pink, and take them to work, school or share them with your neighbours.
11 – Get active
Check if there’s any ‘Pink’ spinning, yoga or other sport activities you can join. 10–19 hours of exercise per week can lower your risk up to 30%.
12 – Go on a walk
Organise or join a Breast Cancer walk, run or bike ride, and make sure to wear pink and pink ribbons or pins.
13 – Dedicate a day of pink
Set aside this day when everyone can show their support by wearing pink at work, school or even at home. Take a picture and share it on social media!
14 – Pink food day!
Provide a platter of pink snacks with cakes, watermelon, grapefruit, smoothies, and candies. Get creative! Take it to work, school or picnic with friends.
15 – Friend’s Night In
Calculate the cost of a night out with dinner and drinks for your team, then substitute it with a potluck and movie in. Use the money that would have been spent towards a generous donation for breast cancer research.
16 – Pink Picnic
All things pink at this picnic from the food, drinks to your clothes. It will be a reminder to those around you!
17 – Girl’s Night In
Although breast cancer also affects men, it’s more common amongst women. Have a Girls Night In where you can watch documentaries or films on breast cancer. Learn about mammograms, prevention, detection and treatment. Help educate each other about breast self-exams! Don’t forget the pink snacks!
18 – Mammography Day
Whether at the office or school, select a day where employees can learn the basics of breast cancer prevention and detection. Show instructional videos, give out pamphlets, and provide other helpful materials.
19 – Movie Night
Have a movie night with family or friends where you watch an inspiring film about fighting or battling breast cancer such as Decoding Annie Parker, Terms of Endearment, The Family Stone and many more. Don’t forget the pink snacks!
20 – Show some love
If anyone you know has been affected by this disease, don’t hesitate to shower them with extra support and appreciation through gift baskets or donations.
21 – Say A Prayer
Take a moment and pray for those battling breast cancer and other types of cancers. Prayer also brings hope and is motivated by positivity.
22 – Get creative
Dedicate this day to getting artsy with family, friends or just yourself, and start an art project focused on Pink October. Make pink ribbons and give them out!
23 – Attend webinars
Look online for a webinar on breast cancer you can join from wherever you are in the world. You can always learn more!
24 – Pink Beauty
On your salon appointment, get pink nail polish – any shade you like! Maybe pink hair too?
25 – Share your story of hope
If you are battling breast cancer or survived it, share the story of how you have been impacted by breast cancer as a celebration of strength and a message of support to those currently on their own breast cancer journey. If you know a loved one who is struggling or struggled with breast cancer, share your story too!
26 – Pink Afternoon Tea
Enjoy a ‘Pink Afternoon Tea’ at any of café or hotel that is offering special menus for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (check our listing above). Or have one at your own home with friends and family with pink macaroons, cake, cupcakes or sandwiches.
27 – Pink Bazaar or Sale
Have books, clothes, shoes or other things you’d like to put on sale? Put them on sale today – preferably on social media, and donate the money you make to a breast cancer or cancer charity organisation of your choice.
28 – Breast Cancer Awareness Month Word Search
Play a BCAM-themed word search game. You can find many online!
29 – Pink T-Shirts
All you need is a white T-Shirt, pink paint and your hands. Place your hands on the pink paint and place your hands onto to the white T-Shirt to leave pink hand prints on your t-shirt. Let it dry out and wear it on your casual outing for the day.
30 – Your Day
Today is the day for a breast cancer survivor or patient to sit back and relax. Yes, today is your day! Pamper yourself or allow a loved one to pamper you. Take care of yourself or allow someone else to care for you.
31 – Reflect
Reflect on Breast Cancer Awareness Month and what you’ve learned throughout the month and try to accomplish something today you haven’t accomplished in the month. Most importantly, donate to a breast cancer cause if you haven’t already.
Sources: Wikipedia, Maurer Foundation
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