Breast Cancer Awareness - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

The first Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure took place in 1983. I was just 11 years old that year and I remember hearing about it. This year, I plan to participate in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure at one of the local races in Dallas. It will be late October, and I'm only planning to walk the 1k. I will likely take my daughter with me to enjoy the walk, side by side and hand in hand.

The Race for the Cure is about more than just raising funds. It's also about educating women about early detection. Early detection is one of the strongest methods to help women survive breast cancer, which can be a life-threatening disease. According to the Susan G. Komen website, the five-year survival rate is 95% when the disease is discovered while still confined in the breast.

Breast Fitness

A good fitness program for taking care of a woman's breast health includes regular monthly self-examination, physical exams annually and after the age of 40, an annual mammogram. Breast cancer awareness is about being aware of yourself as a physical and organic being and being aware of how to protect yourself and prevention is the best.

The Komen Race has grown from our little local race to a nationwide event with many different local races that include over 1.3 million participants in 2004. Those numbers continue to rise. In 1990, the pink ribbons were distributed to recognize breast cancer survivors. So as a part of our Breast Cancer Awareness here at the fitness blog, I will be participating in the Race for the Cure to be held in October in Dallas.

What are you doing?

To support Heather's efforts, you can visit her site here or you can send your support directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Related Articles:

Working Out With Cancer

Breast Feeding Can Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Women's Fitness: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Obesity & Breast Cancer

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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