Pink for October

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief, 509.625.7002

Friday, October 4, 2013 at 11 a.m.

In addition to fighting fires, SFD is sporting the color pink throughout October in efforts to fight breast and other cancers.

Fire fighters exposed to carcinogens and other chemicals while on the job are disproportionately diagnosed with breast cancer – just one of many cancers linked to the work fire fighters do. With one in eight women diagnosed each year, an estimated 232,340 new cases of breast cancer and 39,620 deaths will be reported in 2013. Among all women affected, 85 percent have no family history.

“Fire fighters are motivated to get involved for many reasons, and often it’s because they have been personally affected by the disease. For us, it's people like John Knighten and the several others that are being impacted directly, or have been impacted by Cancer” said AC Schaeffer. “We are supporting this cancer awareness and prevention campaign by encouraging others to give to non-profit Cancer Research organizations so that no cancer patient goes without life-saving treatments or having hope for a cure.”

Everyone is at risk for breast cancer. The two most important risk factors are being female and getting older. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no other known factors. To help reduce your risk, be sure to maintain a healthy weight, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercise and limit alcohol consumption.

The SFD is encouraging everyone in this community to participate in cancer awareness and prevention activities this month.