October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes in the United States. Worldwide, one in eight women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Breast cancer is most often found in women, but men can get breast cancer, too—about one out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. is found in a man. Breast cancer can also affect nonbinary individuals, making it crucial for everyone, regardless of their gender identity, to be aware of their unique risk factors and to prioritize early screening and prevention. That's why early screening and prevention are critical.

Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers affecting people globally, so creating awareness about the disease is essential. By sharing information and promoting proactive measures, we can save lives, bolster research efforts, and offer vital support to those impacted.

Earlier this month, nurse navigator Rose Wolfe of Naviance (formerly Work Stride) highlighted the importance of screenings, shared ways to lower your risk of breast cancer, and explained how Naviance can support you and your family if you are affected by breast cancer. Awareness is important for everyone, so take the first step by watching a recording of the session posted on the JHU Well-Being website under the workshops tab.

Cancer and mental health go hand in hand. A cancer diagnosis can have a huge impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being, as well as on the people who are close to them. You can get mental health support through JHEAP, JHU's Employee Assistance Program. JHEAP is available 24/7/365 to all JHU employees and their household members for free and confidential mental health services and counseling.

For classes devoted to breast cancer awareness, prevention, support during treatment, and overall cancer wellness, access the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month playlist through Burnalong, JHU's wellness partner. Burnalong's virtual wellness platform offers more than 50,000 classes and videos that cover all areas of wellness. To register, visit join.burnalong.com/jhu to activate your free Burnalong account, where you can add up to four friends or family members.

The JHU Well-Being Program seeks to support employees in all aspects of their well-being. Take advantage of these free resources to increase knowledge and awareness around breast cancer and the ways it can be prevented, detected, and treated.