PINK HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD
According to international sources breast cancer is spreading world-wide. We have become familiar with the pink ribbons which brought American women to an awareness of breast cancer especially during October each year. What we didn’t realize was the alarming rate it was spreading in other countries. Though the US leads the way in diagnosis and near the top in deaths, it has far more exams and treatments than other nations.
According to Newsweek magazine an Egyptian woman is told she has breast cancer every three minutes but may not tell her husband for fear he will leave. Many countries fail to report their cancers due to so many other issues such as aids, hunger and no place for treatments. Western Europe, Australia, South America and other areas of Europe follow Americans lead of awareness and reporting. Sadly, places like Asia, Africa and India are extremely slow at dealing with such health issues. Gender and ethnicity does make a difference.
Mammograms and MRI’s are simple not available in many areas. Even among America’s poor, discover and treatment maybe withheld. Cost for mammogram is $50-$150 where magnetic imaging could cost a $1000 or more. Sadly, many women do not perform monthly self-examines.
Our American or Western diet may be a contributor to the rise in breast cancer and probably has influenced other nations also. Age increases the cancer promotion estrogen also, as well as genetics and delayed childbirth. Links to smoking, deodorants, birth control and the recent phenomenon of breast implants are considered factors.
Here in the US, more especially Oklahoma and Shawnee locally, we have noticed the pink ribbons, pins and programs showing up. It would be a shame to let all this information slide by without learning, taking the needed pre-cautions and helping resource studies for treatment. All it takes is one phone call from a wife, mother, sister, or daughter with a tearful voice on the other end of the phone saying, “I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I’m scared!” sudd3enly the cause become ours…when actually it always should have been our battle to fight.
Pray for those battling this disease and those seeking a cure. Look for ways to support and certainly become a part of the awareness campaign. Pink, it never looked so good or said so much as it does in October. Ladies, we are on your team. One day, pink will mean victory rather than awareness
.
Chaplain Larry Sparks
Pink Ribbons
Every October you see them,
Throughout every city and town;
Simple pink ribbons,
That speak volumes without a sound.
They remind us of a battle,
Being fought for human life.
In Cancer Centers for women,
Who are mothers, daughters and wives.
One tiny pink ribbon worn,
On the collar or suits lapel;
Rallying the medical community,
To help and make us well.
Frail from constant chemo treatments,
Yet with hope they carry on;
This may be the year of the cure,
When the pink ribbons have finally won.
Lift high your noble faces,
Let only joyful sounds be heard;
As the October Pink banner is lifted,
Our unified spirits are stirred.
Think Pink, pray and support,
For all you ladies so dear;
Early detection and treatment,
Let this be the healing year.
Larry Sparks
According to international sources breast cancer is spreading world-wide. We have become familiar with the pink ribbons which brought American women to an awareness of breast cancer especially during October each year. What we didn’t realize was the alarming rate it was spreading in other countries. Though the US leads the way in diagnosis and near the top in deaths, it has far more exams and treatments than other nations.
According to Newsweek magazine an Egyptian woman is told she has breast cancer every three minutes but may not tell her husband for fear he will leave. Many countries fail to report their cancers due to so many other issues such as aids, hunger and no place for treatments. Western Europe, Australia, South America and other areas of Europe follow Americans lead of awareness and reporting. Sadly, places like Asia, Africa and India are extremely slow at dealing with such health issues. Gender and ethnicity does make a difference.
Mammograms and MRI’s are simple not available in many areas. Even among America’s poor, discover and treatment maybe withheld. Cost for mammogram is $50-$150 where magnetic imaging could cost a $1000 or more. Sadly, many women do not perform monthly self-examines.
Our American or Western diet may be a contributor to the rise in breast cancer and probably has influenced other nations also. Age increases the cancer promotion estrogen also, as well as genetics and delayed childbirth. Links to smoking, deodorants, birth control and the recent phenomenon of breast implants are considered factors.
Here in the US, more especially Oklahoma and Shawnee locally, we have noticed the pink ribbons, pins and programs showing up. It would be a shame to let all this information slide by without learning, taking the needed pre-cautions and helping resource studies for treatment. All it takes is one phone call from a wife, mother, sister, or daughter with a tearful voice on the other end of the phone saying, “I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I’m scared!” sudd3enly the cause become ours…when actually it always should have been our battle to fight.
Pray for those battling this disease and those seeking a cure. Look for ways to support and certainly become a part of the awareness campaign. Pink, it never looked so good or said so much as it does in October. Ladies, we are on your team. One day, pink will mean victory rather than awareness
.
Chaplain Larry Sparks
Pink Ribbons
Every October you see them,
Throughout every city and town;
Simple pink ribbons,
That speak volumes without a sound.
They remind us of a battle,
Being fought for human life.
In Cancer Centers for women,
Who are mothers, daughters and wives.
One tiny pink ribbon worn,
On the collar or suits lapel;
Rallying the medical community,
To help and make us well.
Frail from constant chemo treatments,
Yet with hope they carry on;
This may be the year of the cure,
When the pink ribbons have finally won.
Lift high your noble faces,
Let only joyful sounds be heard;
As the October Pink banner is lifted,
Our unified spirits are stirred.
Think Pink, pray and support,
For all you ladies so dear;
Early detection and treatment,
Let this be the healing year.
Larry Sparks
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