Friday is Pink and Pearl Day, a chance to bring awareness to breast and lung cancer.
Putnam County Health Department Public Health Educator Elizabeth Rooks said the campaign encourages local residents to get screened for both forms of cancer. Rooks said screenings can detect cancer before symptoms appear.
“We just want to bring awareness to this,” Rooks said. “And make sure that everyone in our community knows that they can reach out to their primary care doctors or the health department to find out how they can get screened or if they are eligible for screening.”
Rooks said the pink ribbon is widely recognized as the color for cancer awareness, and pearls are a symbol for lung cancer. Rooks said lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the state, followed by breast cancer.
“Women are encouraged to get their mammograms every year,” Rooks said. “So they’re just combining these two.”
Rooks said there are many risk factors that contribute to developing cancer that cannot be controlled, such as getting older, health conditions, genetics and family history. Rooks said people can take safety measures to protect themselves against lung and breast cancers.
“There are some things we can do to avoid these cancers,” Rooks said. “Smoking, or using tobacco products, we can avoid those things. Drinking alcohol. We can be more physically active, and those things will help.”
Rooks said eating a healthy diet, exercising and being screened regularly for lung and breast cancer is part of living a healthy life.
“It doesn’t have to be a gym membership, it can be something as easy as going out for a walk or dancing while you unload the dishes,” Rooks said. “You want to eat right, exercise, and get your screenings. And if there is something to be found in early detection, we’ll give you the best chance in your treatment.”
Rooks said early diagnosis often makes cancer easier to treat.
