“Breast cancer is scary and no one understands that like
another woman who has gone through it too.” - Mon Petit

October brings awareness to Breast Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer is the most
commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the United States with approximately 290,000 cases every year.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during our lifetimes. Whether it impacts us
personally or through those we love, virtually all of us will be touched by the disease in one way
or another. With this jarring reality in mind, it’s important to have credible resources to ask
questions and receive support — either from experts in the medical field or those who’ve
experienced it.

When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer it can be difficult figuring out how to
lend your support, and it can feel like a lot of responsibility when a spouse or other loved one
depends on you as they go through treatment, however, you’re taking an important first step just by
seeking out information on how you can best support them through the hardship. Giving a present to
a loved one who is battling cancer might cheer them up and let them know you care.
This is especially true if you send a gift that strengthens your relationship. Giving a loved one
facing cancer something that makes them smile—whether it's a hilarious movie, book, or favorite
snack—is always a wise way to go about gift-giving. Don't forget to include any dietary limitations
as well. Other acts of kindness could include participating in fundraising events like the breast
cancer walk, dropping by frequently, talking with them and listening, doing their chores, or even
just attending screenings with them. You can help organize meal deliveries, rides, and other tasks
to assist your loved one. You can help bring together the patient’s family, friends, and coworkers
by helping support your loved one through an online social network and planner.

As the matriarch of the household mother’s often find themselves a central pillar keeping the
family together, so it can shock the entire family if or when breast cancer rears its head. It’s
important to support them and lessen their burdens while showing them you’ll still be there. Breast
cancer is not a static event, but rather a journey of physical and emotional changes, there is no
“one size fits all” approach to supporting women with this disease. Knowing how best to support
breast cancer survivors is an ongoing process of changing expectations and needs based on where
they may be in their treatment experience. More research is needed to understand why and how
different forms of social support improve breast cancer survival across different groups of breast
cancer survivors. In the meantime, let’s keep fighting breast cancer through promoting mammograms
and by extending a helping hand to those women in our lives with breast cancer.

As we raise our voices together, we help spread the word about the importance of breast cancer
support. RISE up and join us in reaching even more people throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month
by sharing Mon Petit messaging on your social media channels.