Breast Cancer Awareness with Polo Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony

This October marks the 10th anniversary of Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony Foundation, and the brand has collaborated with 100 bloggers who snapped shots of themselves wearing the Pink Pony polo. The Pink Pony effort is a global, year-round effort and doesn’t just focus on breast cancer but other types of cancer as well. Pink Pony is a unique effort, as their mission is to provide cancer care to the medically undeserved communities and provide treatment at earlier, more curable stages. The Pink Pony Fund supports programs for cancer screening, early diagnosis, treatment, research and patient navigation.

If you’re shopping Ralph Lauren, they’re giving customers 25% off while they donate 10% with code RLGIVE2010. Additionally, there is a charity auction that runs from October 1st through the 21st with 10% of the net proceeds benefiting the Pink Pony Fund.

The information and facts below are from Susan G. Komen for a Cure.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer knows few boundaries. It is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers today. All women are at risk; and, although rare, men can also develop the deadly disease. Breast cancer is complex and unpredictable. We aren’t sure what causes breast cancer, so, we can’t say for sure how to prevent. We do know that early detection saves lives.

• An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2009. An estimated 40,170 women will die. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 62,280 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women in 2009.
• An estimated 1,910 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 440 will die in 2009.
• Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
• More than two million women currently living in the U.S. have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.
• About 85% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer DO NOT have a family history.
• Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen.

Early Detection & Treatment

• Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. When breast cancer is diagnosed at its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is over 95 percent.
• Mammograms are the best and most widely available breast cancer screening tool. They can detect about 85 percent of all breast cancers.
• At age 40, women should get an annual mammogram.
• Know how your breasts look and feel and report changes to your health care provider
• Make healthy living choices; maintain a healthy weight, add exercise into your routine and limit alcohol intake.

Learn more about Breast Self-Awareness and how to do a breast self-exam over at Susan G. Komen For a Cure.