releases: http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=52261DF4-6B12-44CE-BCDA-FD4116E5C610
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=52261DF4-6B12-44CE-BCDA-FD4116E5C610 | Weekly Column: Think Pink | 2014-10-10 | 2014 | 2014-10 | Republican | House | SD | Kristi Noem | N000184 | noem.house.gov | legacy | We dread the idea of hearing the word “cancer.” How could we not? It indicates a battle, a life-threatening illness, an uncertainty about the future. It is difficult to watch a loved one go through it; I can’t imagine what it would be like to take on that battle myself. Most families in South Dakota have been impacted in one way or another by cancer. This month, we turn our attention specifically to breast cancer, which more than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with each year. Except for skin cancers, this is the most common cancer among American women, although it’s important to note that men can be diagnosed with it as well. In 2013, there were 600 reported cases of breast cancer and more than 100 breast cancer-related deaths in South Dakota. Through the increased awareness each October and the dedication of advocacy groups and medical researchers, we are gaining more and more information about how this disease works. This information gives us better tools to detect breast cancer early and moves us closer to finding a cure. Breast cancer knows no boundaries. It is not constrained by age, gender, or geographic location. Nonetheless, there are factors that put you at greater risk. Being a woman and getting older are the most common risk factors. A woman’s risk of breast cancer also increases if she has a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with it. On the other side of the coin, getting regular physical activity, eating healthy, and limiting alcohol intake can help lower your risk. Other than changing your lifestyle, the most important thing you can do is detect it early. The National Breast Cancer foundation has created one tool to help you make an early detection plan. Just visit www.earlydetectionplan.org. 98 percent of people who detect breast cancer early survive past the critical five-year milestone. Today, there are more than 3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. South Dakotan Debbie Reeves is one of these survivors. Despite the challenges, Debbie has seemed to stay incredibly positive. Earlier this year, she told news outlets, “Cancer is no fun, but you learn from it…. There were so many gifts that came out of breast cancer. My children’s faith grew and my husband and I are just great. And although I would never, ever want to do it again, I would do it again in a heartbeat to get gifts like that.” For many survivors, the battle does not end after a clean scan. The physical, emotional, and even spiritual healing may continue for years to come. If you are a survivor, there are resources for you throughout South Dakota. Sanford Health has a Cancer Survivorship Program, which includes Embracing Life retreats for survivors of breast cancer. Avera has programs as well, including their “A Time to Heal” series. This month, please join me in thinking pink. Use this as motivation to put together an early detection plan. Urge your friends and family to do the same. Learn more about breast cancer and how it could be impacting your mom, your neighbor, or you through resources like www.beyondtheshock.com. Find out how you can be a support system for those impacted. Get involved in one of the many breast cancer awareness activities throughout South Dakota this month. Together, we can beat this. I’ll close this column with this message for women facing the battle. It is a line from a tribute written by Olivia Newton-John, herself a survivor of breast cancer: “Fight each round. Take it on the chin. And never, never, never ever give in.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |