October 20, 2023
Pic Credit: Nadezhda Moryak via Pexels
We all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Pink Ribbon might be small but it is MIGHTY! It is something which affects millions of people all over the world. So this PINK OCTOBER join us as we raise awareness, take action and shop for a cause by supporting brands which are contributing to breast cancer research and charities albeit in a stylish manner. THINK AND SHOP PINK!
Breast Cancer Awareness
According to the recent statistics breast cancer accounts for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide making it the most common cancer in the world. That means every 14 seconds someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer. Yes, it affects men too! Chances are that we all know at least one person who has been affected by this disease. But THERE IS HOPE! And sometimes the difference between life and death while dealing with this chronic disease comes down to two things: EARLY DETECTION and PREVENTION.
Early Detection
When breast cancer is caught in early stages its 5 YEAR RELATIVE SURVIVAL RATE IS 99%. So EARLY DETECTION and SCREENING is your BEST FRIEND! And one can easily keep on top of it by undergoing regular self breast examinations and meeting with your doctor for early screening options. Nowadays there are many non invasive screening options like ultrasound, mammography, MRI etc. readily available which can help detect the disease. So we encourage EVERY person out there to make informed choices regarding your health by taking this one small step towards early detection and screening which can potentially save your life.
Prevention
According to research, 23% of breast cancer cases are preventable. So making small changes to your diet, exercise and lifestyle can make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
Diet
Eating a healthy protein rich diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, cutting down carbs and junk foods, and avoiding all ultra processed packaged foods which are full of preservatives ( and whatnot! ) is KEY. Regularly incorporating anti oxidant rich foods and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi etc. can do WONDERS for your gut microbiome which actually helps boost your immunity.
Exercise
Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk and can help keep the disease at bay. So even simple things like walking regularly for 20 minutes a day can do wonders. Exercise can be FUN too. Be it dancing, swimming, yoga, pilates, regular gym or playing your favourite sport, join whatever peaks your interest and have FUN with it! The KEY is to keep your body MOVING.
Lifestyle Changes
According to research, making key lifestyle changes like limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking can help reduce the risk. Also minimizing STRESS and learning to deal with it in a more healthier way by prioritizing your MENTAL HEALTH is of PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
If you want to know more about breast cancer awareness then visit breastcancer.org or cancer.org or bcrf.org for more details.
Inspirations
Here are some of our favourite instagram accounts to INSPIRE YOU to NEVER GIVE UP!
Yasmine : @yasmine._gloria
Pic Credit: @yasmine._gloria via Instagram
Starting the list with a dear friend and WARRIOR PRINCESS Yasmine. She is one of those unique people who have the ability to inspire you even from a distance. Her story is THE MOST INSPIRING one which we ever came accross. It is a story of hardship, a story of being dealt with a cruel fate, a story of suffering, a story of unfairness, BUT at the same time it is a story of COURAGE, STRENGTH and RESILIENCE. It is a story TO NEVER GIVE UP and TO FIGHT BRAVELY. Despite being diagnosed with cancer during her childhood and once again during her adult years, she NEVER let it define HER. A law graduate, an entrepreneur and a home chef SHE DONS MANY HATS! The way she lives her life with positivity and the way she carries herself so gracefully in the face of adversity, her IMMENSE MENTAL STRENGTH and HER CONFIDENCE is COMMENDABLE! She is a BEAUTIFUL SOUL inside and out! You MUST CHECK OUT her instagram account and youtube videos where she talks about her cancer journey and life in general. She is an embodiment of HOW TO LIVE LIFE! She is not just a CANCER SURVIVOR, she is a CANCER THRIVER!
Dr. Amy Morris : @dramymorris
Pic Credit: @dramymorris via Instagram
A doctor, a researcher, a stage 3 cancer survivor and a cancer recovery expert Dr. Amy is an INSPIRATIONAL figure. She regularly shares her knowledge on instagram and helps people to navigate the cancer recovery journey. Her exercise tips and science backed recovery recipes are some of the VERY BEST! Her Cancer Freedom Recovery Program created after 12 years of clinical experience has helped innumerable cancer surviors to navigate the recovery process.
Chris Wark : @chrisbeatcancer
Pic Credit: @chrisbeatcancer via Instagram
Author of the BEST SELLING BOOK CHRIS BEAT CANCER, Chris Wark is a holistic cancer thriver.His story is one of MIRACLES. Diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer he opted for surgery but refused chemotherapy, instead focusing on overdosing nutrition and plant based diets to heal himself. He regularly shares his knowledge on cancer fighting food with scientifically backed reasonings on his instagram. He shares his recipes from his BEST SELLER book BEAT CANCER KITCHEN to inspire people to develop healthy eating habits, and to take control of their health with a radical transformation of diet and lifestyle.
Kelly Sturm : @cancerrehabpt
Pic Credit: @cancerrehabpt via Instagram
Certified oncology specialist and lymphedema physical therapist Dr. Kelly Sturm has helped transform many peoples lives through her Breast Cancer Rehab Program. She belives that knowledge and resources should be accessible to all and so regularly shares her scientifically backed exercise and massage videos on instagram to help cancer survivors deal with the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and lymphedema. She truly is an INSPIRING figure!
Anticancer Living : @anticancer_living
Pic Credit: @anticancer_living via Instagram
You know you have to read this book when it is recommended by none other than the former president of American Cancer Society. Anticancer living is a BEST SELLING book by author Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies to reduce cancer risk and to support treatment focusing on six key areas Mix Of Six. It is a MUST READ and gives a holistic approach to cancer prevention with scientific reasonings and emphasizes maintaining health. It has empowered millions of people and is a science based approach to holistic living and wellness.
Cancer Health : @cancerhealth
Pic Credit: @cancerhealth via Instagram
Another inspiring account! By sharing the latest scientific breakthroughs in cancer research and cancer treatments, cancer health empowers people living with cancer to manage their health in the BEST POSSIBLE WAY by making people aware of the latest developments in the cancer research field.
Cancer Wellness Magazine : @cancerwellmag
Pic Credit: @cancerwellmag via Instagram
Yes there is a magazine totally DEDICATED to cancer wellnes! Featuring inspiring stories, healthy recipes and scientific conversations with doctors and health care workers, cancer wellness magazine is on a mission to SUPPORT cancer WARRIORS and THRIVERS by giving them access to the BEST information.
Anticancer Lifestyle : @anticancerlifestyle
Pic Credit: @anticancerlifestyle via Instagram
An inspiring and evidence based lifestyle course and program for cancer survivors and everyone in general who are interested in prevention. With its simple step by step online course it teaches you how to take control of your health and helps you lead a better and cleaner lifestyle. We LOVE the way they provide scientific facts and explanations for everything which they recommend!
Hair For Hope India : @hairforhopeindia
Pic Credit: @hairforhopeindia via Instagram
The FIRST NATIONAL hair donation campaign since 2013, Hair For Hope India encourages people to donate their hair which is then converted into wigs and given to chemo patients for FREE! The objective is to help the cancer patients who have lost their hair feel CONFIDENT in their body and in themselves. A BEAUTIFUL MISSION focusing on a MUCH NEEDED but OFTEN NEGLECTED area.
The Cancer Patient : @thecancerpatient
Pic Credit: @thecancerpatient via Instagram
Finally NO LIST is COMPLETE WITHOUT some HUMOR! This instagram account takes a satirical look at life through the lens of a cancer patient. With its dark humor, realistic scenarios and relatable memes, it makes the cancer surviors feel NOT ALONE and helps them NAVIGATE this TOUGH journey with a few LAUGHS! We have never seen more RELATABLE memes! Amen to that! Trust us, once you check their page you will be HOOKED TOO!
Shop For A Cause
From volunteering to donating to charities to supporting brands which contibute towards funding cancer research there are many ways to contribute and participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So this October let us THINK AND SHOP PINK FOR A CAUSE! Here is a compilation of brands to shop from which are giving back in their own way.
Wacoal India
Japan based lingerie brand Walcoal India has partnered with Cancer Patients Aid Association to launch a breast cancer awareness campaign ' Wacoal Knows Breast'. For every bra sold Wacoal will donate Rs. 10 to CPAA.
Pic Credit: Wacoal India
Mango
One of our FAVOURITE high street brands Mango has created a Solidarity Collection where 100% of the profits from the collection will be donated to breast cancer research in collaboration with the Fero Foundation. From soft pajamas to expert validated post mastectomy bras to tshirts to cute pink slippers and tote bag this collection has something for EVERYONE!
Pic Credit: Mango
Sezane
On the First Wednesday of every month the GORGEOUS French fashion brand Sezane will donate 100% of the net profit from a dedicated pink piece and 10% of all gross denim sales to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. One more reason to love this brand apart from their GORGEOUS designs of course!
Pic Credit: Sezane
Sleeper
This celeb favourite fashion brand is celebrating Pink October by donating this month's 10% of pink item sales to Kvitna Charity, supporting breast cancer awareness since 2016. From classic sleeper pink gingham dresses to cute pink feather dresses to pink feather pajamas to pink feather slip dresses, they HAVE IT ALL!
Pic Credit: Sleeper
Ralph Lauren
When you shop The Pink Pony Collection, 25% of each item's purchase price is donated to Ralph Lauren's mission for Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research to reduce disparities in cancer care and to ensure access to quality treatment is available to everyone at an earlier more curable stage. The collection includes some gorgeous signature Ralph Lauren pieces from shirts to tshirts to hoodies to sweatshirts.
Pic Credit: Ralph Lauren
Jimmy Choo
The luxury brand Jimmy Choo are donating 20% of the proceeds from their Power In Purpose capsule collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Pic Credit: Jimmy Choo
PopSockets
Through their Poptivism programme PopSockets are supporting BCRF by donating the proceeds from a BCRF benefitting pop socket design. If you have never tried a popsocket before, then this is a good excuse. They are a life saver literally!
Pic Credit: PopSockets
Clinique
Every year Clinique creates a Pink Ribbon Product to benefit BCRF and has raised over $13 million till date.This year it is the OG Holy Grail product, none other than the Clinique Moisture Surge.
Pic Credit: Clinique
Elemis
For the 20th year running, Elemis is supporting Breast Cancer Now by donating 10 pounds per product of the purchase price of its limited edition pro collagen marine cream.
Pic Credit: Elemis
Bobbi Brown
The OG makeup brand is donating 100% of the purchase price of their Limited Edition Gloss Duo as part of their Gloss For A Cause campaign to BCRF.
Pic Credit: Bobbi Brown
As someone who has first hand experience of the devastating effects of cancer at close quarters we cannot stress enough on the IMPORTANCE of early diagnosis and prevention. So if you are reading this, GO BOOK THAT APPOINTMENT and GET yourself and your loved ones CHECKED, as EARLY DIAGNOSIS is all that stands between life and death when it comes to cancer. We hope you found this article informative and we hope it inspired you to take small conscious steps towards a healthier life. By supporting foundations, charities, brands, people and cancer survivors let us ALL DO OUR BIT and SAY NO TO CANCER!
xoxo