By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
Who says you can't be fashionable while supporting a cause?
The month of October has been set aside to nationally recognize breast cancer awareness.
This year marks more than 20 years that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has educated women about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The disease accounts for nearly 1 in 3 cancers diagnosed in U.S. women. While men are generally at low risk for the disease, they should be aware of the risk factors.
During 1998-2002, the American Cancer Society announced that 95 percent of new cases and 97 percent of breast cancer deaths occurred in women aged 40 and older. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 2.3 million women with a history of breast cancer were alive in January of 2002.
According to the American Cancer Society, since 1972, the organization has awarded more than $271 million to breast cancer research grants. The American Cancer Society isn't the only entity that helps with new cancer research.
During the month of October, pink specialty products can be seen around town, particularly in larger retail chains, including Wal-Mart and Hibbett Sporting Goods, who sells sports bottles adorning the pink ribbon.
Walking into the Wal-Mart clothing department, a section of pink can be seen from the aisles. The large conglomerate sells a variety of breast cancer awareness items including antenna toppers, decorative pocket pins, baseball caps, long and short sleeve t-shirts, umbrellas, fanny packs, shorts and long key chain holders that can be worn around the neck.
Merle Norman Cosmetics, located at 818 Douglas Ave., also carries a variety of classy products that aren't typically found in the larger stores.
Karen Evans, who works at Merle Norman, said that they carry a silver bracelet with the ribbons as charms and a black purse donning the pink ribbon logo.
Products can also be purchased online at the official breast cancer awareness product store at www.nbcamproducts.com/nbcamproducts/.
The products were developed primarily to promote breast cancer awareness.
Portions of each sale is remitted to research for breast cancer.