Articles | You Can Help Combat Breast Cancer

Thousands of women every year all over the world start the most difficult battle they will ever encounter. These women will spend more time with doctors and in hospitals then most of us spend in an entire lifetime. They endure toxic substances pumped into their bodies on a regular basis in the slim hope it will save their lives. I am speaking of the millions of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed of all cancers in women. There has been much money contributed to research for the cure, but there remain thousands of women who will receive this devastating diagnosis. This disease not only affects the patient herself but her family and friends who will suffer along with her.

Many of us know someone who has breast cancer. For those of us who do, we know how much it hurts everyone involved. It is unspeakably hard to watch someone we love live with so much pain. I have now seen two women I love very much go through this awful ordeal. I can't even begin to describe the hopelessness you feel watching your loved one bear. The hardest thing is to know there's nothing you can do to fix it.

A lot of women are natural-born repairpersons. It is part of their makeup to fix things that are broken. Women particularly find it almost impossible to do nothing when someone they care for is in pain. Bad news for them, there is no magic wand to wave to make it all better. The vast majority of us are just regular guys not scientists or researchers or physicians. We will never discover the cure for cancer. What we can do is support those people who are working so diligently to do so.

We can all make a difference in the lives of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Donating whatever cash amount we can to cancer research will have a positive impact on research efforts to find ways to create better drugs and to ultimately find a cure. Given funding, leading scientists around the world can devote their time and energy to the cause for cancer. There are many ways a person can donate to cancer research. It can be done through monetary donations or by donating time and effort to fundraising. Some join the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, some send in the lids from Yoplait yogurt containers, all are contributing to finding a cure for breast cancer.

Donating money for research for a cure for breast cancer is amazing. There are more ways, however, that can help those suffering through breast cancer. Women with breast cancer often have huge hospital bills, which can take a toll on the family budget. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and you want to help, drop off a few groceries. Ask what other necessities they may be lacking and start a neighborhood collection.

Breast cancer is the scourge of millions of women and their families. With all the money and time donated to cancer research, strides have been made in its treatment. Still, there are many women who do not survive the disease. The survivors are very apt to talk about their battle and inspire others diagnosed with breast cancer. If you do know someone who succumbed to breast cancer, honor them by donating to cancer research or running in one of the races against cancer events given throughout the year in many parts of the country, which is another excellent way to spread the word and expand cancer research funding. These are terrific ways to put an end to the suffering and grief caused by this dreadful disease. If we all form a united front, a permanent cure for breast cancer can be found.