The breast cancer awareness campaign runs through October, empowering breast cancer survivors and encouraging women to get their breast cancer screenings
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is joining 105.1 The Bounce, Detroit’s Throwback Hip Hop and R&B station, for “Show Us Your Pink.” This breast cancer awareness campaign will run through October and highlight breast cancer survivors while teaching listeners about the disease and the breast cancer screenings they should receive. The festivities will surround Wednesday, Oct. 11, Shannon Renee’s five-year breast cancer survivorship anniversary.
“As a triple-negative breast cancer survivor of five years, I know how important spreading awareness is, and that is why I am so very excited to partner with Karmanos Cancer Institute to do just that!” explained Renee, who is the 105.1 The Morning Bounce show co-host.
“Show Us Your Pink” will feature opportunities for women to enjoy the month of October with 105.1 The Bounce and Karmanos.
Share Your Breast Cancer Survivor Story
Survivors can go to 1051thebounce.com/ShowUsYourPink to tell listeners their stories and share an uplifting survivor message. Shannon Renee will pick two random winners every Friday to receive a $250 gift card! She will also share their story on air.
Get Cancer Screenings at Screening Saves Lives
Shannon Renee and 105.1 The Bounce will join Karmanos at its Screening Saves Lives: Cancer Screening and Educational Event on Saturday, Oct. 7. From 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Karmanos will provide mammograms, along with colon screening consultations, head and neck examinations, lung cancer screenings, skin cancer screenings, and wellness checks. Plus, there will be activities, such as free yoga movement classes and massages, food stations, a pop-up market, interactive exhibits, raffles, and giveaways for screening participants. Shannon Renee will meet with those in attendance and hand out some 105.1 The Bounce swag. There will also be information about the Michigan Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program for women who qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screenings. Those seeking a cancer screening during the Screening Saves Lives event may call 1-800-KARMANOS to schedule their appointment. A driver’s license or state ID and insurance card will be required for screening. To participate in activities during the event, please pre-register to attend at karmanos.org/screeningsaves. All attendees must be 12 or older.
On-Air Breast Cancer Survivor Stories
Every week in October, Shannon Renee will talk with a breast cancer survivor on air about their breast cancer journey. The survivor will share words of encouragement and remind women to schedule their mammograms.
Show Us Your Pink Day
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, survivors are encouraged to wear pink with Shannon Renee to celebrate her breast cancer survivorship and more than 4 million other breast cancer survivors across the country. Listeners can upload a photo to the “Show Us Your Pink” page showing how they wore pink. Shannon Renee will highlight a random submission on air and direct listeners to the website to view the incredible breast cancer survivors.
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 American women, and around 297,800 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. The disease will also affect 2,800 men in the U.S. this year. Only 5%-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. With only 1 in 39 breast cancer patients expected to die from the disease in 2023, this ratio shows that breast cancer is more curable nowadays and helps emphasize the importance of breast cancer screenings leading to early detection.
“Throughout my career, I have been able to see more and more victories with my patients, and that’s because of their willingness to get their routine mammograms on time, allowing specialists to find their cancers early and giving them a better chance of curative treatment,” said Michael Simon, M.D., MPH, medical oncologist, co-leader of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos and medical director of the Karmanos Cancer Genetic Counseling Service. “And it’s telling that a small percentage of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a genetic mutation passed on through their family. Every woman needs to be screened for breast cancer once they are eligible. When patients keep up with their annual breast screenings, we have a better chance at catching abnormalities or early signs of disease.”
Women at average risk should begin receiving mammograms at age 40. However, if they carry a gene that causes breast cancer, have a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer, or have dense breasts, they may need to begin annual breast screenings at an earlier age. Speaking with a physician or a specialist at the Karmanos Women’s Wellness Clinic is important to understand your risk. All women who come to the Women’s Wellness Clinic for screening mammography at Karmanos’ locations in Detroit and Farmington Hills will take a high-risk breast assessment. This questionnaire helps identify if they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer based on personal and family history information. Karmanos also offers a high-risk breast program for women to monitor and screen closely for a possible occurrence of cancer.
Keep in mind the signs and symptoms of breast cancer:
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast.
- A nipple turned inward into the breast.
- Fluid, other than breast milk, from the nipple, especially if it’s bloody.
- Scaly, red or swollen skin on the breast, nipple or areola (the dark area of skin around the nipple).
- Dimples in the breast that look like the skin of an orange, called peau d’orange.
For more breast cancer and screening information visit karmanos.org/ShowUsYourPink.
Survivors and listeners can find all of the 105.1 The Bounce “Show Us Your Pink” engagements at 1051thebounce.com/ShowUsYourPink, including interviews, information about the cancer screening event, survivor story submission and survivor photos.