This October is the 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors and in 1993, Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estee Lauder Companies founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its permanent symbol.

Every October pink ribbons blossom throughout the world to remind women and men everywhere about the value of early detection. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of death among women after lung cancer.

Risk factors? The biggest risk factor is simply being a woman, so share what you know with those you love. The biggest risk factors for breast cancer are:

• Being a woman

• Being older than 55

• Having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

• Having a first degree relative (mom, sister, daughter) with breast cancer

• A personal history of breast cancer

• Starting your period before the age of 12

• Stopping your period after the age of 55

• Use of estrogen birth control

• Menopausal hormone replacement therapies

• Drinking one alcoholic drink per day

• Being overweight or obese

Your body, your breasts, your responsibility. You do have the power. Monthly breast exams combined with regular clinical breast exams and mammograms make early detection possible.