October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year.

If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.

The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition

Here are just a few of the things that you can do to help in the fight against breast cancer

* Find a community "run for the cure" marathon program.

* Wear a pink ribbon, and don't be afraid to talk to anyone that asks about it.

* Purchase pink products from retailers- where a portion of the proceeds go to breast cancer research.

* Go get a mammogram!

* Urge any woman that you love to go get a mammogram.

* Help those who can't afford a mammogram by donating to the Breast Cancer Site.

* Go to the Breast Cancer Site daily and click on the button at the top of the page. It costs nothing to click and 100% of the sponsor funds goes to where it can help the most.

* Donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

* Spend time with someone that is dealing with breast cancer. Show them that you care.

* Blog about early detection of breast cancer!

* Email your friends about breast cancer awareness.

*Educate your daughters about the threat of breast cancer, and teach them how to do a self exam

* Tell everyone you know on Myspace- just get the word out!

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here's what you should look for:
* breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color.

* breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

*nipple discharge
* dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.
* a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
* redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side-from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.