Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- October

This is one of my favorite times of year. I love the cool weather and enjoy the changing leaves across our state. October is particularly special to me because, in addition to the splendors of the season, it is a time to focus on our health in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Like many Missouri families, my family was touched by breast cancer, when we lost my mother to the disease. Close to four thousand Missouri women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. It is for them and the countless survivors we work to spread awareness about breast cancer throughout the month.

As your first lady, I have focused on women's and children's wellness and have had the opportunity to hear from women about their struggles with breast cancer. I am always inspired and awed by their stories and reminded again and again about the importance of early detection to fight the disease.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure recommends a 3-step approach to breast cancer screening that includes a combination of mammography, clinical breast exams and breast self-exams:

* Annual mammograms beginning at age 40

* Clinical breast exam at least every three years beginning at age 20, and annually from age 40 on

* Monthly breast self-exam beginning by age 20

Each year in Missouri, 123 of every 100,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. However, these simple steps truly have the power to save lives, and I encourage women to take time to safeguard their health. In fact early detection is so important this year Gov. Matt Blunt called for and secured $500,000 to support free breast and cervical cancer screenings through the Show Me Healthy Women program. The additional funding is more than three times last year's state funding and will allow the program to serve approximately 1,225 additional women next year. Earlier this year I was honored to help the Missouri Women's Council present an additional $20,000, proceeds from their pink license plate program, to support breast cancer screenings. This month we will offer special tributes in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month that will serve as reminders of the importance of breast cancer screening. The Arch in St. Louis will be lit pink for one night and the fountain at the Missouri Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City will be lit pink throughout the month. Breast cancer is a very real threat that we all need to be aware could impact each of us. The most important message I can send about breast cancer is the importance of early detection and the crucial role we all play in our own health.

First Lady Melanie Blunt is Honorary Chair and Spokeswoman for Komen for the Cure -- Mid Missouri Affiliate and this year led teams in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in both St. Louis and Kansas City.