Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Our Perspective
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US. We know firsthand how harrowing and unforgiving breast cancer is. As a prominent waste management company in Chicago, it is important for us as a company to do our part to raise awareness and help individuals with breast cancer receive the support they need.
Coley Strong
The CEO of SBC Waste solutions, Karen Coley, is a breast cancer survivor. The bravery she exhibited during her fight against cancer is one of the reasons SBC introduced its Breast Cancer Awareness truck over the summer, which we named Coley Strong in honor of Karen Coley. Coley Strong was provided to us by EJ Equipment and Transportation, and is pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. The truck also features a lovely epitaph to Karen’s late father, William Coley, who embodied the type of kindness and humility we want SBC to strive for. You can read more about the “Coley Strong” in our blog post, Introducing Our New Truck “Coley Strong”. You can also watch this video to see the new truck in action.
Early Detection Is Key
One in eight women and one in a thousand men in the US receive a diagnosis of breast cancer in their lifetime so it is likely that most people know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. While survivor rates have increased over time thanks to improved treatments, the best chance you have at surviving breast cancer is early detection.
Breast exams are a key to early detection in women. Experts recommend that individuals perform monthly self-exams. The best time to perform a self-exam is ten days after the beginning of a menstrual cycle. However, the most important thing is consistency. Breasts may have different textures at different times of the month, so the key is to perform self-exams around the same time of the month. You want to check for swelling, redness, and other abnormalities.
Regular Mammograms
It is also important to visit your doctor once a year for a professional breast exam, as a trained eye may observe something you might otherwise miss. Regular mammograms will also help ensure early detection. Medical professionals recommend that women over 40 receive a mammogram once a year, while women over 55 should receive mammograms every one to two years. Mammograms are especially important to have done if breast cancer runs in your family.
Breast cancer has hit us close to home. Our CEO experienced breast cancer firsthand and came out of the battles a survivor. Yet, not everyone is as lucky. Thousands of women in the US die from breast cancer every year. Early detection can save lives. As a waste management company in a major city like Chicago, we want to do our part to raise awareness for breast cancer and to encourage everyone to take the necessary steps to prevent a late diagnosis of breast cancer.
