October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This year 200,000 women will be diagnosed with this disease and 40,000 will die. Most of us have been touched by breast cancer in one way or another, mother, friend, sister, in law...someone we know has dealt with the harsh reality of this monster. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women. Yet, it isn't just a disease of older women or even just women. Women of all ages contract breast cancer, and approximately 450 men will die from breast cancer this year.

Research has brought us a long way over the past 30 years but there is more to be done, more to be accomplished, more to find out, and more lives to be saved. October has been designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are many events planned online as well as locallyy to promote the fight against this disease.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. is hosting The Pink Ribbon Challenge. It enlists the support of radio stations and musicians to raise money to provide free mammograms. National Breast Cancer Foundation Events

I am hosting an event shared on my cooking blog Baking Delights. It is a blog challenge to come up with a pink recipe that will be judged by my readers and all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen Foundation. Check for details at either of those links...and join in the cooking fun.

Internet Based Moms is a website of work at home moms that are promoting awareness and raising money for research. You can snag a cool pink ribbon for your blog on their website.

Boobie-thon -some bloggers will be baring it for the cause. Bloggers, both male and female, will be sending in photos of their chests. Can I just say that this event is..ummm..huge...and will run from October 1-8. They expect to raise a voluptuous $10,000. during the event.

Click to Give Go to this site and simply click the button. It is free to do and corporate sponsers donate so much money for clicks. You can go clickin' crazy and do it once a day.

There will be many local events as well so check in your area for more activities that you can take part in.

Like anything, supporting companies that support important social issues is just smart use of your money. Here are some corporations that are making a difference.

Kitchenaide has their Cook For the Cure products. These are a collection of pink appliances and kitchen ware, everything from a stand mixer to a can opener in pink.

One A Day Vitamins donates 300,000. 00 annually.

Northland Cranberry Juice donates 50,000.00 a year.

Day Timers donates 10% of the profits from the Pink Ribbon Collection.

Chefwear donates 50% of profit from their special Awareness line of chef's uniforms.

There are other corporate sponsors, locally and nationally, that donate percentages to breast cancer research. Supporting these sponsors helps support the research and is a great way to give easily.

Even more important than getting involved in fund raising is educating yourself about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. It is important to check your breasts monthly for lumps, and any change in how the breast looks or feels. Get a baseline mammogram at age 40 and then every year or two after that. Cut your risk factors by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.

A second type of breast cancer is not so well known but it needs to be. Inflammatory Breast Cancer, IBC, is a rare form of cancer in which the breast swells and gets sore rather than getting a lump. There may be redness or a rash on the breast with or without itching. The breast may feel hot to the touch, or have a pitted appearance to the skin.

If you have any of these symptoms see your doctor. Discuss your concerns and ask for a mammogram, biopsy and ultrasound. IBC is often diagnosed as an infection and treated with antibiotics. If your doctor is resistant ask for a second, third, or fourth opinion. This site, IBC Research has excellent information on this rare, and deadly, disease.