It's that time of year again when everyone gets excited about the Richland County Fair and Rodeo, yet, most people truly do not understand the importance of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo. The Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo is not only a great event for families to attend, but also an important night to support breast cancer awareness. The color pink is not something you would usually associate with the tough sport of rodeo; however, breast cancer has touched the lives of many families. The Cancer Coalition receives $3 per person for each individual that wears pink to the rodeo, from our sponsors, Mike's Hard Lemonade/Blue Rock, Wood Group/Mitchell's Oil Field Service, and The Lucky Buckle.
The Cancer Coalition strives to ensure better quality of life and enhance the odds of survivorship through prevention, early detection, and state-of-the-art cancer treatment. The Cancer Coalition established a Cancer Aid Fund in which all of the money donated stays within this fund. Once the Cancer Coalition receives funds from special events, such as Tough Enough to Wear Pink, the fund helps individuals with all forms of cancer diagnosis (not just breast cancer) and undergoing cancer treatment residing primarily in Richland County as well as Dawson, Fallon, McCone, Prairie and Wibaux Counties. Patients in other Montana counties can be considered if seeking cancer treatment at the Cancer Center located in Sidney, Montana. The fund supports cancer patients in offering assistance with non-medical household expenses. Excluded from assistance are travel costs, hospital, physician and prescription charges, as other local avenues are available for these needs.
Please wear pink to support breast cancer at the Richland County Fair and Rodeo on Friday, August 5th at 7:30 p.m. Please call the Richland County Fair office (406) 433-2801 if you have any questions about purchasing Richland County Fair tickets.
What do I need to know about breast cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.
Breast cancer screening means checking a woman's breasts for cancer before she has any symptoms. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.
Most women who are 50 to 74 years old should have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are 40 to 49 years old, or think you may have a higher risk of breast cancer, ask your doctor when to have a screening mammogram.
Some things may increase your risk
The main factors that influence your breast cancer risk are being a woman and getting older. Other risk factors include-
• Changes in breast cancer-related genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2).
• Having your first menstrual period before age 12.
• Never giving birth, or being older when your first child is born.
• Starting menopause after age 55.
• Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen and progesterone in menopause for more than five years.
• Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
• A personal history of breast cancer, dense breasts, or some other breast problems.
• A family history of breast cancer (parent, sibling, or child).
• Getting radiation therapy to the breast or chest.
• Being overweight, especially after menopause.
Symptoms
Some warning signs of breast cancer are-
• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Pain in the breast.
Other conditions can cause these symptoms. If you have any signs that worry you, call your doctor right away.
Can't afford a mammogram?
If you have a low income or do not have insurance and are between the ages of 50 and 74, you may qualify for a free or low-cost mammogram through the Montana Breast and Cervical Screening Program. Please call Maci Holst (406) 433-2207 at the Richland County Health Department to receive more information about the program. In addition, there will be information at the rodeo. We will also be handing out free can-koozies, phone adhesive wallets, and sun-screen spray sticks. Please come visit and learn more about ways to prevent breast cancer.
Reader Comments(0)