10.10.22 – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Monday, October 10, 2022

Every October, organizations, along with the work of many passionate individuals, focus on Breast Cancer Awareness. Currently, there are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US, so chances are we know someone who is a breast cancer survivor.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. Women are much more likely to get breast cancer than men. In 2022, about 339,000 breast cancer diagnoses for women and about 2,710 new cases for men. Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds women (and men) that monthly breast cancer exams should be a regular part of one’s self-care. Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to guide you if you have never performed a self-exam.

As Flight Attendants, maintaining our health is so important. Screening at regular wellness visits each year with breast exams and mammograms is recommended to start at age 45, and in some cases, they recommend a mammogram at age 40.

Mammograms are covered at no cost to you through our healthcare insurance options. It is vital to make sure your physician’s office is in your insurance network.

This month we focus on Breast Cancer Awareness, and we know it is just as important we support our health in all types of cancer. The survival rate of cancers is increasing because of a combination of the support of so many to help fund research, improved medicine, greater awareness, and preventive measures such as healthy life habits and screening.

We can support this cause and one another simply by talking about it with our family, friends, and fellow crewmembers while prioritizing our overall health daily.

In Solidarity and in Health,

Cathy Sharp
APFA National Health Chair

Rhonda “Rio” Curtright
APFA DE&I Co-Chair

[email protected]