Did you know that, second only to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among American women? According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. The ACS estimated that 290,170 new cases of breast cancer (in situ and invasive cancers) were diagnosed among women in 2012. They project that 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year. The ACS estimates that about 39,620 women will die from breast cancer in 2013. Although breast cancer mostly affects women (99 percent), it can also occur in men and children.

After increasing for more than 20 years, female breast cancer incidence rates began decreasing in 2000. From 2002 to 2003, breast cancer incidences dropped about 7 percent according to the American Cancer Society. The ACS further states that this decrease was thought to be due to the declining use of hormone therapy after menopause, following the published results of the Women’s Health Initiative in 2002.

There is hope for those diagnosed with breast cancer. Most physicians agree that early detection tests for breast cancer will save many thousands of lives each year. And many more lives could be saved through early detection and aggressive treatment options. Sadly, though, many who have this disease are not aware they have it until it’s too late. Many others, possibly through fear, are not performing in-home self breast examinations nor seeking medical tests for early detection. And a great number of women (and men) simply do not know enough about the disease.

The month of October is the kickoff season for breast cancer awareness. For the second year (and ongoing every year), The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times have produced a very special edition dedicated to this insidious disease. New this year, we produced a special pull-out section devoted entirely to breast cancer awareness. In these pages, our readers will find useful and informative information for early detection. We offer stories from people who are surviving and, in many cases, thriving since their detection and treatment. You will find articles detailing local diagnostic and treatment programs and services. We included articles that offer hope and encouragement to those afflicted and their families. As a husband, a father and a grandfather to some “special ladies” in my life, I feel it is my obligation to arm them with the necessary information that may one day save their lives. I believe our readers feel the same about the women in their lives, too.

As we did last year, The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times will donate a portion of the proceeds from advertising sales to a woman’s health facility in our local area for breast cancer diagnoses and treatment. As publisher of your award-winning local community newspapers, I feel  it is my privilege and obligation to give back to our great communities that we have the privilege to serve. I invite you, our readers to enjoy and learn from our breast cancer crusade special section. My sincere thanks and appreciation to all our readers for your wonderful support!

Paul Brown is the Publisher of The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe and can be reached by calling 360-659-1300 or via email at pbrown@soundpublishing.com.