Behind skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, comprising 30% of all new female cancers each year. It’s estimated that 287,850 new cases will be diagnosed in 2022. 

This illness can have devastating effects on patients, triggering emotional distress, social isolation, and self-blame. During treatment, women can lose feminine qualities central to their identities, following hair loss, mastectomies, and radiation that makes the body feel weak and fatigued. As a result, many women diagnosed with breast cancer battle low self-esteem, in addition to the physical impacts of breast cancer.

This October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an international campaign that raises awareness about the effects of breast cancer on patients, families, and friends—and Ocean Casino Resort is joining the movement. 

Understanding The Impact of Breast Cancer 

A breast cancer diagnosis brings physical and psychological burdens—and it's not exclusive to women. About 1 in 883 men are expected to develop invasive breast cancer within their lives, compared to 1 in 8 U.S. women. 

Globally, there were 2.26 million cases of breast cancer as of 2020. 

Prior to diagnosis, individuals will typically experience warning signs of the developing disease, such as:

• A lump in the breast or underarm
• Thickening or swelling of the breast that may enlarge the area
• Irritation, redness, dimpling, or flaky skin around the nipple
• Nipple discharge
• Breast pain

Following diagnosis, patients can undergo several treatment options, depending on the stage of the disease. These include:

 

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy

As a result of treatment, many people will experience fatigue, nausea, and headaches, as well as loss of appetite, hair loss, mouth sores, digestive issues, and skin and nail problems. Those who undergo treatment may also be at higher risk of infection, bruising, and infertility. 

That said, the effects of a breast cancer diagnosis transcend the physical. Medicines used to treat breast cancer can generate a storm of emotions, such as:

 

• Anxiety
• Stress 
• Depression

 

Patients may also experience feelings of hopelessness, overwhelm, fear, loneliness, and insecurity. And patients aren’t the only ones affected by a diagnosis—family and friends can share similar feelings of stress, sadness, and worry surrounding a diagnosis’s uncertainty. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In 1984, the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries partnered together to establish National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States. It was initially founded to promote mammograms and regular screenings to improve the early detection of cancer, and that sentiment continues today. 

Major breast cancer charities around the world honor the health campaign through events that promote education, support, advocacy, and research funding. These charities include:

 

• American Cancer Society
• Breastcancer.org
• Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Living Beyond Breast Cancer
• National Breast Cancer Foundation
• Susan G. Komen Foundation
• Young Survival Coalition

Pink, which became the symbol of breast cancer after the Breast Cancer Research Foundation established a pink ribbon as its symbol, floods Breast Cancer Month events as the international symbol of breast cancer awareness. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Ocean Casino Resort

This October, we’re honoring those with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors with a host of fundraising events to drive awareness and give back to our community:

 

• Light of Hope – Throughout the month of October, the LED-illuminated ball that sits atop Ocean Casino Resort will shine pink from dusk until dawn to illuminate breast cancer awareness. 

 

• Real Men Wear Pink – For the month of October, Frank Ruocco, Executive Vice President, Operations, is representing Ocean in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Frank is wearing pink throughout the month of October to help raise awareness for breast cancer.  Let’s help Frank reach his goal – every donation, no matter the amount, counts! All funds raised will benefit the American Cancer Society in their mission to reduce the risk of breast cancer through continued research and provide free services and information for people who need it. 

 

• Pink Drinks – Our bartenders are bringing back our pink elixirs to support breast cancer awareness. Last year, the special featured Tito’s Pink Cosmo, a blend of vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime, alongside a pink sugar rim. This year, we’re crafting the Pink Paloma, a delicious mixture of patron silver, pink grapefruit sparkling soda, and the classic pink sugar rim. $2 per drink purchased will be donated to the American Cancer Society. This specialty drink gives back to the cause and is offered accross the property. Ask and you shall receive! 

 

• Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – Ocean Casino Resort is sponsoring Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, an organization that unites community members for a walk along Atlantic City’s boardwalk and raises money to support breast cancer patients, survivors, and caretakers. The 5k walk begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 9th.

 

Celebrate Strength at Ocean Casino Resort

Breast cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers experience waves of painful emotions and physical symptoms that create significant impacts on their lifestyles, identities, and relationships.

At Ocean Casino Resort, we want to celebrate the strength and resilience of patients past and present. That’s why we’re partnering with a number of inspiring organizations to give back. 

If you’re hoping to book a room with us this October, we have a number of Atlantic City deals for our casino, casino gift cards, and Atlantic City hotel deals available. Or if you’d prefer to visit us in the summer months, catch our Atlantic City Black Friday deals in November.

 

Check out our Atlantic City casino promotions and offers today.

 

Sources: 

Oman Medical Journal. Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Omani Women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289498/

American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Statistics. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html

Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022. https://www.lbbc.org/get-involved/breast-cancer-awareness-month

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer? https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/symptoms.htm

American Cancer Society. Treating Breast Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment.html
The Ocean AC. Pink Paloma. https://www.theoceanac.com/offers/pink-paloma