The ABCs of Breast Health

Sept. 23, 2013— -- ABC News is going pink for October to raise awareness about breast cancer, a disease that affects one in eight American women.

Throughout the month, we'll bring you the information you need to protect yourself, like the latest screening recommendations and signs and symptoms to look out for. We'll also outline the risk factors for breast cancer, some of which are modifiable.

Take the pink pledge to understand your risk!

More people are surviving breast cancer, but the disease continues to kill more than 40,000 American women each year. Less than 73 percent of women get the recommended breast cancer screening tests, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Armed with the facts, you can take our pledge to know your risk and get the screening tests appropriate for you.

But education is just one part of our month-long series. We'll also bring you inspiring stories from breast cancer survivors – ones that highlight the emotional side of cancer. You'll learn about a woman who was diagnosed while pregnant, and one whose advanced cancer appeared as a rash instead of a lump.

We'll spotlight some of the lingering consequences of breast cancer and its treatments, like early menopause, infertility and secondary cancers, as well as the psychological impact on loved ones.

So go pink with us throughout October and take our pledge. Information is our best weapon against breast cancer.