Looking to get some exercise and support breast cancer awareness, then look to The Susan G. Komen Race For a Cure®. Every year, thousands walk in their communities to remember those lost, support those living with the disease and celebrate with the survivors.

Susan G. Komen was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33.  And after several surgeries and chemo therapy, she died after a three year battle. Her story just confirms that breast cancer can happen to any woman at any stage of life.

“Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement.”

The walk began in Dallas, Texas in 1983; and now it has a global presence with 140 races and 1.6 Million people racing on four continents. Every race is locally organized and 75 percent of net income goes to local breast cancer education, screening and treatment. The other 25 percent supports Komen’s national research and grants.

In 2010, (I am a proud former St. Louisian) the Komen St. Louis Race became the largest race ever with 71,800 participants.

For more information on the Komen Race in your area, visit http://apps.komen.org/raceforthecure/?itc=homeaction:1.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and this week each of my blog postings will be dedicated to the topic of breast cancer. Each one of us has been or will be affected by this disease in our lifetime.

Fact: “Among the most lethal diseases of women in the United States, breast cancer ranks sixth, after heart disease, other cancers, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) diseases, and pneumonia/influenza. Women are eight times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer. Even as cancers go, breast cancer’s not the deadliest form. Lung cancer kills twice as many women every year as cancer of the breast. But breast cancer does kill more women age 35 to 54 than any other disease, and therein lies one big reason why it’s a woman’s worst nightmare.”

There is no cure yet, but the best ways to fight breast cancer are awareness and early detection. Listed below are ways women can prevent, be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully:

1. Be aware of your risk factors including lifestyle and genetics.

2. Breast cancer is no longer a disease for older women, younger women are being diagnosed everyday. So once a month (mark the date on your calendar) give yourself a self breast exam. If you find a lump or think it could be a lump, visit your doctor. Don’t be afraid, you may help save your life!

3. Under 40, schedule and attend your annual OBGYN appointment for a breast exam.

4. 40 and over, schedule an annual mammogram.

5. Sometimes your intuition is the best. If you feel something may be wrong, but you don’t feel a lump, visit your doctor anyway. It will give you peace of mind.

Hopefully, in the very near future, we will win the breast cancer battle. But now, every women should know the risks and be educated on early prevention. It’s your mother’s life, your daughter’s life and your own that need to be protected!