Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, it’s estimated that 211,240 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. in 2006, and 40,410 women will die from the disease.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) educates women about the importance of early detection for breast cancer. Since NBCAM’s inception in 1985, mammography use has doubled in women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

This is exciting progress, but there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and other who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams at regular intervals.

In recognition of the fact that mammography is the best available method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt, and that breast cancer death could decline further if all women received mammograms at regular intervals, No More Mortgage and A Blue Lady Florist in Peachtree City, Ga. are recognizing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

No More Mortgage is a local debt elimination company that is fairly new to the South, it is based in Utah and has been around for 10 years. A Blue Lady Florist is a new local florist owned by Kim Morrison. Together they are dedicating the whole month of October to this very important cause. Their goals are to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness, to fully inform the community of the facts surrounding this deadly disease and to educate the community in preventative measures.

There are several ways you can help support their endeavors. These two companies are hosting a silent auction for donated baskets that are on display at the Peachtree City Library. The Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will receive 100 percent of the funds raised through the auction.

To bid on a basket, write your name, phone number and the bid amount on the form provided at the library. The highest bidder for each basket will be notified at the end of the month. October 20 is National Mammography Day.

To find a place locally call: American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345; The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 1-800-IM-AWARE; or Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization 1-800-221-2141.

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