National Grassroots Initiative Launched to Address Fears and Empower Women to Take the Fright Out of Breast Cancer
Launched in Tandem with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Halloween Season, Initiative Fights Fear and Anxiety as Obstacles to Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When pink season arrives each October, much attention is focused on encouraging women to know their risk of breast cancer and get annual breast screenings, but we often fail to address the fears that block those efforts.
Today Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization and the world's leading online resource for breast cancer and breast health information and support, launched Take the Fright Out of Breast Cancer™, a national grassroots initiative to turn Halloween into a celebration with a purpose: to replace the fear of breast cancer with knowledge that will help women reduce their risk of the disease or its recurrence and learn what they need to know about early detection and testing options.
"In my opinion, being diagnosed with breast cancer is one of every woman's greatest fears. And as a breast oncologist and breast cancer survivor, I also know the fear of cancer coming back is always there," explained Marisa Weiss, M.D., founder and chief medical officer, Breastcancer.org. "Far too often, women miss the opportunity for potentially life-saving treatments because they fear going to the doctor, ignore a lump, or avoid getting an annual mammogram. We launched Take the Fright Out to empower women with the knowledge, clarity, and confidence they need to make health decisions assuredly and lessen the fears and anxieties women associate with this disease."
During this Halloween season and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Take the Fright Out of Breast Cancer aims to make orange the new pink by encouraging people to host grassroots events across the country. Breastcancer.org is asking people to join Take the Fright Out this fall by hosting an event and raising funds that will allow Breastcancer.org to expand its reach and support to women who have or are worried about breast cancer. Participation is easy: it could be a bake sale at the office, a Halloween-themed ladies night out, or raising funds at a fall festival!
"Many women believe there is nothing they can do to protect themselves from this disease, even though most breast cancers are due to factors we can change or avoid," said Dr. Weiss. "Only 10% of breast cancers are largely due to an inherited genetic mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Even if you start changing key lifestyle factors at age 50, you can lower your risk of breast cancer by 50 percent. Providing the everyday steps to lower our lifetime risk will empower women with the knowledge they need to break those barriers of fear and anxiety."
The program will be supported by a number of leading companies that have joined together to extend the important message of the campaign. For anyone interested in hosting or participating in a local event, they can visit www.TakeTheFrightOut.com for more information.
About Breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org is a patient-centric resource for breast health and breast cancer information and support. We engage, educate, and empower women with our expert information and dynamic peer support community to help them make the best decisions for their lives. The nonprofit organization was founded by breast oncologist Marisa C. Weiss, M.D. and born out of her conviction that women with breast cancer need more information and support than a physician visit can provide. Breastcancer.org receives more than 30 million visits each year.
For more information about Breastcancer.org, please visit www.Breastcancer.org.
About Take the Fright Out Of Breast Cancer™
Take the Fright Out of Breast Cancer is a national grassroots initiative to turn Halloween into a celebration with a purpose: to replace the fear of breast cancer with knowledge that will help women reduce their risk of the disease or its recurrence and to learn what they need to know about early detection and testing options. The initiative encourages women to host a Halloween party or event to share important facts about breast cancer while raising funds that will allow Breastcancer.org to provide information and support to women who have or are worried about breast cancer. Party hosting information and a party toolkit are available through www.TakeTheFrightOut.com.
SOURCE Breastcancer.org
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