October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time when pink ribbons fill the streets, and we’re reminded to pause, reflect, and take care of ourselves. But this month isn’t just symbolic it’s a wake-up call.

Because breast cancer doesn’t just happen to “someone else.” It affects women, men, and young women. It affects families. It changes lives.

🩷 Real Talk: Awareness Is Power

Thirty-two years ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember that time vividly — the fear, the uncertainty, and the courage she showed every day. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatment, back when people didn’t talk about breast cancer openly.

She survived and lived cancer-free for many years. Her strength was extraordinary.

But what many didn’t know then is that older radiation treatments sometimes caused heart complications years later. My mom developed heart issues and passed away in 2017 from congestive heart failure.

Her journey reminds me that breast cancer awareness isn’t just about surviving — it’s about long-term care, early detection, and paying attention to every part of your health.

📊 The Facts You Should Know

According to Breastcancer.org, approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lives.

About 66% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage — before cancer has spread outside the breast — when treatments tend to work best.

Those numbers matter, because they remind us that early detection truly saves lives.

💕 What You Can Do

This information is provided by Breastcancer.org, and it’s simple, actionable, and life-saving:

• Self-examination is important — Know your body and your normal.
• If you feel something, say something — Don’t wait or second-guess yourself.
• Schedule your yearly mammogram — Talk to your doctor about your family history.
• Women with dense breasts: Ask about additional screening options.

Early detection saves lives. Be proactive. Don’t be scared. You’re not alone.

If you need support, Ellen Hermanson Foundation is an incredible local resource right here in the Hamptons.

How to Do a Self-Exam

Once a month:

• Look in the mirror for dimpling, redness, or swelling.
• Raise your arms and check for changes in shape or size.
• Feel while standing or lying down — use small circular motions.
• If something feels off — call your doctor.

Prevention Matters

Your lifestyle choices can lower your risk:

• Eat real food — more plants, less processed.
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking.
• Exercise daily — even a walk counts.
• Get enough rest and manage stress.
• Stay consistent with screenings.

💕 Local Hamptons Resources

We’re fortunate to have incredible organizations right here in our community:

• Ellen Hermanson Breast Center – Screenings, diagnostics & survivor support (ellenhermanson.org)
• Coalition for Women’s Cancers (CWC) – Education, outreach & peer support (cwcshh.org)
• Fighting Chance (Sag Harbor) – Free counseling for cancer patients & caregivers (fightingchance.org)

These organizations are helping our East End neighbors every day — bringing compassion, resources, and hope.

🩷 Real Talk, Real People Breast cancer awareness isn’t just a month — it’s a mindset. It’s about knowing your body, checking yourself, and living fully.

So take a moment today: feel, look, schedule that mammogram, remind a friend, and remember that awareness saves lives — maybe even your own.