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What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign that’s held every October. The month aims to promote screening and reduce the risk of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs designed to: In the month of October, there are also specific dates designed to raise awareness of specific groups within the breast cancer community.  Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October 13) October 13 is nationally recognized in the U.S. as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. About 168,000 women in the U.S. are estimated to have metastatic breast cancer (cancer that spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body). Some researchers believe this number will rise to over 246,000 living with the disease by 2030. Despite the growing numbers of people living with metastatic disease, most money for breast cancer research doesn’t go toward studying it.  Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day seeks to educate the public about the challenges that people with metastatic breast cancer face and the need for more research — and more treatments — for this deadly disease.  The day also serves as a reminder that people can do all the right things — breast cancer screenings and all the recommended treatments for early-stage breast cancer — and still have cancer spread to other parts of the body. As sf-cakes, a member of the Breastcancer.org Community, shared, “Being stage IV during Breast Cancer Awareness Month sucks. All the messaging about ‘if you catch it early, you’ll be fine,’ is simply not always true.”

If you’ve recently had surgery and have a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain in place, you may be wondering how to take care of it at home. While it can seem a little intimidating at first, with a little practice and guidance, JP drain care can become part of your routine. This post will walk you through what a JP drain does and how to care for it safely. 🩺 What Is a JP Drain? A JP drain is a soft, flexible tube connected to a small bulb that gently suctions fluid from the area where you had surgery. This helps reduce swelling and the risk of infection by preventing fluid from collecting under your skin. You might have one or more drains, depending on your procedure, and they typically stay in place for about 1–3 weeks. 🧼 How to Care for Your JP Drain at Home 1. Empty the Bulb RegularlyYou’ll need to empty the bulb about 2–3 times a day, or whenever it gets about half full. 2. Strip the Drain Tubing“Stripping” the tubing helps prevent clogs. 3. Keep the Site Clean and Dry 4. Secure the BulbDon’t let the bulb dangle. Use a safety pin to attach it to your clothing, or use a drain belt or pouch to keep it close to your body and reduce tension on the tube. 🚨 When to Call Your Doctor Call your provider if you notice: 💡 Tips for Living with a JP Drain Caring for your JP drain may feel like a lot at first, but you’re not alone. With the right steps and support, you’ll become confident in no time. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Stay strong and take care — healing is a journey, and you’re doing great.

Recovering from surgery is never easy — physically, emotionally, or logistically. Amid doctor visits, medication schedules, and the emotional toll, patients are often handed a pen and paper to track something vital: surgical drain output. This method, while traditional, is prone to errors, forgetfulness, and missing data. At DrainData, we set out to change that. 💡 Why We Built DrainData After undergoing surgery herself, our co-founder realized firsthand how stressful and outdated the recovery process could be. Tracking fluid output with pen and paper was not only frustrating — it created avoidable risks due to lost or inaccurate information. That experience sparked an idea:What if patients had a simple, secure way to log their drain data digitally — in real time — and share it with their care team instantly? DrainData was born from that vision. 📱 What DrainData Does DrainData is a free mobile and web app that helps surgical patients: Available on iOS, Android, and the web, our app is HIPAA-conscious, lightweight, and easy for anyone to use — even those who aren’t tech-savvy. 🌍 A Tool with a Mission DrainData isn’t just an app — it’s a mission to empower patients through data. By simplifying the recovery process, we help people feel more in control during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Our team of developers — with lived experience in both healthcare and chronic illness — is passionate about using technology for good. 🚀 What’s Next We’re actively working on new features: We’re also building partnerships with healthcare providers and universities to expand access and improve surgical outcomes across the board. 🤝 Join the Movement Whether you’re a patient, provider, or supporter of health innovation, we’d love to have you with us. 📬 Got feedback or questions? Contact us here🔗 Want to support us? Come see us at Patreon! Together, we can make recovery easier — one drain at a time.

If you are reading this then there is a good chance that you just received some terrifying news – that biopsy that your doctor recommended came back positive. You are not alone – 1 in 8 women will get this diagnosis which means you are in a pretty big (and crappy) club. This is the hardest part of the journey – you are still reeling from the diagnosis and don’t know what is going to happen next. You will now be thrown on the speeding train of diagnostic tests – possibly mri, mri guided biopsy, bone scan, pet scan, and more. Don’t allow yourself to be alone – there are many wonderful support groups – go to https://www.breastcancer.org/ for one group or another good one is the reddit subgroup https://www.reddit.com/r/breastcancer/ – both of these highly moderated groups will help you feel supported like noone else can – women (and men) that have traveled the road you are on – but further down it.

Breast cancer isn’t just a medical condition—it’s a life interruption. It reshapes identities. It changes relationships. It challenges mental health, finances, and the very idea of “normal.” 👩‍⚕️ It affects caregivers, too—spouses, children, friends who become nurses overnight.💼 It affects jobs, with time off for treatment, reduced hours, or even job loss.💊 It affects mental health, with anxiety, fear of recurrence, and body image struggles long after remission. And it doesn’t stop with treatment. Survivors face ongoing checkups, hormone therapy, fatigue, and PTSD—all while trying to smile and “get back to life.” But here’s the hope: 🫶 Support networks are growing.🧬 Research is advancing.📣 Voices are getting louder.🌸 Survivors are thriving. This month—and every month—let’s honor the whole journey, not just the pink ribbons. Let’s talk about the invisible battles and the quiet victories. 💬 If you or someone you love is navigating breast cancer, you’re not alone. Reach out, speak up, and stand strong. 💗

In the United States, approximately 1 in 8 women (about 13.1%) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, excluding skin cancers. It’s estimated that about 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses are breast cancer.  Here’s a more detailed breakdown: