Hey everyone,
October is here, which means it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a deeply personal cause for me.
For me, this month isn't just about pink ribbons (although they are great). No, it's about understanding breast cancer, supporting those affected, and taking action to help fight this disease.
My Journey and the Power of Community
Recently, I set up a booth at the Relay for Life in Salinas to help raise awareness of Monterey Med Ink’s 3D nipple and areola tattoos for breast cancer survivors who have had mastectomies. Meeting breast cancer survivors, their families, and supporters was an unforgettable experience. I was really happy to see so many community members out in support of people impacted by cancer.
As a paramedical tattoo artist specializing in tattoos for breast cancer survivors, I've seen the emotional and physical challenges of this journey. At the end of the day, my work isn't just about aesthetics— (nope) it's about helping women feel whole again and reclaim what breast cancer tried to take away.
Eye-Opening Facts About Breast Cancer in California
Understanding the scope of breast cancer can motivate us to take meaningful action (It did for me, anyway). Before I wrote this post, I went to California Health Maps to uncover a few pieces of information about breast cancer in our state. Here's what I learned and thought I'd share...
The Facts about Breast Cancer-Did You Know:
Between 2017 and 2021, 141,195 women in California were diagnosed with breast cancer. That's more than 28,000 women each year facing this life-changing diagnosis.
The number of newly diagnosed women with breast cancer in the state is about 124 per 100,000 women every year, highlighting how common it is.
Screening Gaps: While 73% of women in California get regular mammograms, 27% do not. Early detection is key—it greatly improves the chances of successful treatment (More about this below).
Actionable Steps You Can Take Today
So why did I look at these stats? I always think that awareness is the first step to better understanding. By grabbing the stats from the map, I also realized that we can take big and small actions to change the course of
Here's how you can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer:
Schedule Your Mammogram: If you're over 40 or have a family history of breast cancer, don't delay. Get regular screenings for breast cancer early when it's most treatable.
Regular Self-Exams: Check your body! Not sure how, take a look at this video.
Volunteer or Donate: Getting involved is crucial. I just did Relay for Life, but there are other charities you can support or even volunteer at a local hospital.
Valuable Resources for Breast Cancer Support
So, it wouldn't be a good blog post if I didn't share a list of resources available here in Monterey County and beyond. Trying to figure this out can really be overwhelming so I collected a few that I thought might help.
American Cancer Society
What They Offer: Emotional support, information, and practical help like rides to treatment sessions.
Website: www.cancer.org
Food Bank for Monterey County
What They Offer: A Breast Cancer Food Assistance program to help meet nutritional needs during treatment.
Website: www.foodbankformontereycounty.org
Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County
What They Offer: Financial assistance and support for local breast cancer patients.
Website: www.bcagmc.org
UCSF Patient & Family Cancer Support Center
What They Offer: Support groups, counseling services, and educational resources for those affected by breast cancer.
Website: cancer.ucsf.edu/support/crc
Montage Health (Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP)
What They Offer: Cancer care, support and resources for families and patients.
Website: https://www.montagehealth.org/care-treatment/cancer/
Don't hesitate to reach out to these organizations—they're here to help you through anyone's cancer journey.
Let's Stand Together Against Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the progress that has been made but also the work that still needs to be done.
In my work, I've learned that healing from breast cancer is a collective effort. Whether it's by focusing your career on helping women through their cancer journey or doing anything else I discussed in this post. You can help. I hope you'll do your part.
If you have questions about breast cancer, need guidance on resources, or want to learn about the restorative services I offer, please feel free to reach out. Let's make a difference together—not just this month, but every month.
Thanks for reading. More to come on my blog.
Ashley
Owner, Founder, Paramedical Tattoo Artist
Monterey Med Ink
Kommentare