By Elaine Shannon, EWG
The stats are stark: according to the National Cancer Institute, at some point in her life, one in eight American women will be told she has breast cancer.
There's actually a little good news in the coldly clinical government data: the number of new cases is actually trending down. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculates that incidence of breast cancer has decreased by two percent a year, from 1999 to 2006. The National Cancer Institute points out that if the current rate holds steady, 12.2 percent of women will be diagnosed with the disease -- which means 87.8 percent of us will escape it. But it's not good enough.
Because nearly all of us can name seven other women we love and on whom we rely. Going by the odds, one of them will receive the diagnosis.
Because soon after a mother, daughter, partner, sister, aunt, cousin, mother-in-law, sister-in-law or close friend has had that tough talk with the doctor, we'll be hurting, too, and worried about what lies ahead for everyone in the circle we hoped would be unbroken for many more years.
That's why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important to us all. We at Environmental Working Group have been doing our part to explore and highlight the latest research illuminating possible causes of breast cancer, especially environmental factors that can be controlled.
New breast cancer resource: The path of wellness & healing DVD This month, EWG is highlighting a new resource -- a two-disc DVD set entitled "Breast Cancer: The Path of Wellness & Healing, " produced by Nina Montée Karp, Joyce Ostin, Dr. Harvey Karp and Michael Ostin. This production offers a comprehensive, yet down-to-earth journey through the breast cancer experience, from diagnosis through treatment and recovery to stories of healing and hope. It features medical and wellness experts and breast cancer survivors.
The price of the DVD set has been reduced during the month of October, and half the proceeds of purchases made by EWG supporters will be returned to EWG. Enter the code EWGSALE when you check out. Purchase your DVD set today. These funds will advance our research on the environmental causes of cancer and on measures that may prevent the disease and force that trend line down to the vanishing point
Because if you, or someone you care about, is the one in eight, that's what matters.
[Photo of EWG's Lisa Frack and her daughter, Georgia. Neither of whom want to be that 1 in 8.]