| The pink ribbon has united people, especially women, | | | | behind. |
| around the world in promoting breast cancer | | | | The causes of breast cancer remain unknown, but |
| awareness. Before the 1970s breast cancer was | | | | there are factors that increase one's chance of |
| generally not on the agenda of public discourse. | | | | development of breast cancer. |
| Women who suffered from the disease, especially | | | | The following are predisposing factors in the |
| those who had endured mastectomy (the removal of | | | | development of cancer in the breast: age, family |
| one or two breast) chose to hide their condition out | | | | history of cancer, fatty diet, obesity, and alcohol |
| of fear or shame. | | | | intake, longer reproductive period, women who have |
| Times have changed though. Every year, March is | | | | never been pregnant, who have never given birth to |
| globally celebrated as women's month, bringing | | | | a viable infant, or had first child late in life and cancer |
| attention to issues that especially concern females - | | | | in one breast. |
| cancer included. | | | | Doctors usually recommend a combination of |
| Cancer of the breast, although primarily a disease of | | | | methods of treatment. Surgery and follow-up |
| older women, can also affect younger women and | | | | therapies (radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone) |
| men. The incidence of the breast cancer has | | | | remain the most common medical treatment options. |
| increased in the US. With the present trend, about | | | | When information and awareness about breast |
| one in every eight American women will develop this | | | | cancer is combined with better medical research and |
| type of cancer. Considering the similarities in diet and | | | | technology, there is greater hope for women and |
| lifestyle of Filipinos and Americans, there is a great | | | | men all over the globe to win against this cancer. |
| chance that Philippines figures may not be too far | | | | |