October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which the National Breast Cancer Foundation describes as an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.  It is not just about being aware of the existence of the disease, but taking the steps to detect the disease in its early stages and taking any preventive measures that are available.  October also signals fundraising and outreach campaigns around the U.S. and the world.

The Sydney Morning Herald provides a list of popular means for contributing to breast cancer research and raising awareness.  For example, Aveda sells its Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme and offers to contribute $4 for every tube purchased.  In Australia, there are also a number of popular events and products available in October that benefit breast cancer research, from a day of simultaneous garage sales that contribute to charity to a popular organizer that goes on sale in October.

According to NBC Omaha, there are a number of changes each person can make to reduce risk of breast cancer, and improve overall health and well-being.  At the top of the list is eating a healthy diet.  In particular, the American diet has been shown to have a higher risk of cancer incidence, potentially due to high consumption of red meat.  Along the same lines, limiting alcohol is also beneficial.

Going hand-in-hand with a healthy diet, doctors recommend maintaining a healthy weight.  This should include an exercise regimen that incorporates aerobic exercise four or more times a week.  Finally, knowing family history can help inform a patient of the screening they need and help medical professionals advise them on how often they should be screened.  Cancer is not wholly preventable, but it is possible to give people a much higher shot at beating the disease.