It is gratifying, and even fun, to take part in breast cancer runs, attend fundraisers, and write your check to help promote breast cancer awareness and education. But how are you personally celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Here are ways you can take action for your life and the lives of those you love. Share these suggestions with everyone.

• Make an appointment for a mammogram if you are over 40
• Do your monthly breast self-exam
•  Do your monthly breast self-exam
• Set up a reminder system for your monthly breast self-exam and yearly mammogram
• Quit smoking
• Talk to your kids, siblings, parents and grandparents about your family’s cancer history
• Schedule a clinical breast exam with your primary care doctor or gynecologist
• Start an exercise program
• Pack your kids a healthy lunch (or teach them how to pack their own!)
• Eat an extra serving of fruits or vegetables at every meal
• Talk to your sister, best friend, or mom about getting her mammogram (or go together!)
• Start a garden, for the exercise and fresh organic veggies
• Reduce your alcohol intake, or cut it out completely
• Sign up for an exercise class
• If you are overweight, start a new healthy eating plan and lose weight
• Talk to your kids about breast cancer risk factors like smoking and alcohol
• Start a corporate wellness program at your company
• Reduce your portion sizes if you are overweight
• Start a daily family walk tradition

And do not forget the third week of October is MALE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK. The American Cancer Society estimated the number of men diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 was 1990 and the numbers are increasing. Each year 450 men will die from this disease. While the number of men diagnosed is smaller than for women, a higher percentage of them will die because men are typically diagnosed at a late stage. It is believed this is primarily due to a lack of awareness that men too can develop the disease. As has been proven, early detection is vital to survival.