by Cheryl Altschuler

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month - but the fight against breast cancer takes place by courageous women and men on a daily basis across this country and throughout the world. This month, countless people and organizations across America strive to promote awareness, share information on the disease, and show how to improve access to breast cancer screening services. This is a very important effort.

In the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death and the seventh leading cause of death in women overall. It is projected by the American Cancer Society that nearly one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime if she lives long enough. Although there are associated risk factors for development of the disease, many women seem to be stricken randomly.

Improved screening and even genetic testing are adding to our fight to win the battle against breast cancer and that is my message today. Be active in the fight against breast cancer and encourage all you love to be vigilant in their understanding of this disease and their personal health care plan.

Although I am a doctor, I can offer no personal insights into preventing breast cancer. It's a horrible disease, but I take hope in knowing that so much research is being done to minimize suffering and decrease mortality rates. In the meantime, I take what practical steps I can to lower my risk of developing it and support the ongoing battle.

Breast cancer may strike individuals but its effect is always felt by the ones they love. I encourage everyone to read up more on breast cancer on the American Cancer Society's webpage (www.cancer.org).

The following are a list of charity organizations and support groups which are sponsoring advocacy events across Suffolk County this month:

Long Island 2 Day Walk: www.li2daywalk.org

Walk for Beauty, Walk for Life: www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/cancercenter/walkforbeauty

Long Island Cancer Help & Welness Center: www.breastcancerhelpinc.org/center/about.php

Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition: www.1in9.org

American Cancer Society, Making Strides Across America: www.makingstrides.acsevents.org

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