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The Selma Chapter of The Links is gearing up for its annual health campaign geared toward increasing breast cancer awareness, emphasizing the importance of early detection and raising funds for research during the month of October, recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Links’ program, entitled “Knowing It Exists Is Not Enough,” will deliver educational information on breast health, from understanding the importance of early detection and prevention to knowing what to expect during the mammogram experience, through its Facebook page.

“Breast cancer is something that has impacted [the] lives of almost everyone in our community, either by personal diagnosis or by way of relationships with family or friends,” the group said in a press release. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for organizations to sponsor activities that will have an impact on the targeted audience.”

In order to get their message out, The Links will present educational articles through social media on a variety of topics, including the risks of breast cancer in both younger and older women, prevention and early detection.

Additionally, the group has a goal of seeing more than 25 women receive mammograms during the month.

“A mammogram is a key component in early detection in breast cancer, the most common cancer in American women and second most common cancer worldwide,” the press release stated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are likely to be diagnosed in U.S. women this year, more than 10 percent of which will be in women under the age of 50.

Though a man’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1-in-883, about 2,620 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year.

In Alabama, breast cancer had the second-highest cancer death rate in 2016 – just behind lung cancer – and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 3,000 new cases of the diseases in Dallas County and the surrounding areas.

While the coronavirus crisis has stifled much of the group’s in-person activities, The Links will still go live with a couple of small events – on Oct. 15 and Oct. 21, the group will set up educational booths at Vaughan Regional Medical Center (VRMC) and Rural Health Medical Program (RHMP) from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. to encourage mammography and provide women with resources to help them obtain a mammogram.

“It is the hope of the chapter that these events will educate, engage and empower and ultimately save lives,” the press release stated.

At the end of the month, participants will have the opportunity to take a short quiz and survey and be eligible for a $200 prize.

To take part in The Links’ breast cancer awareness campaign, visit them on social media at www.facebook.com/selmalinksinc.

For additional information, contact the group via email at selmalinks@gmail.com.