By Tim Mastro

WILMINGTON — Racers suited up in pink for 5Ks, high school football teams donned pick uniforms on Friday nights and numerous other fundraisers were put on throughout Delaware in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The state’s biggest breast cancer awareness event set a record with the amount of money raised. The 10th running of Dewey Goes Pink raised more than $200,000 to go to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

The DBCC celebrated its 30th anniversary over the summer, as the only organization in Delaware solely dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

DBCC executive director Francesca Vogel said the organization assisted with 633 mammographies through its women’s health screening program this year. It also provided 351 women with interpretation and 92 with transportation to screenings.

“At the DBCC, we believe everyday is Breast Cancer Awareness Day,” Ms. Vogel said.

Breast cancer overtook lung cancer this year as the most commonly reported cancer, according to a collaborative report from the American Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The organization also offers resources to breast cancer survivors and those who are recently diagnosed, in addition to its screening programs.

DBCC hosted 302 survivor programs and activities, serving 3,344 survivors so far this year. These programs include educational classes for newly diagnosed women, self-support programs, a holistic conference, nurture with nature activities and networking.

DBCC also added 17 peer mentors to a group of 301 who provide one-to-one emotional support, resources and research-based information to 142 newly diagnosed women in Delaware.

Ms. Vogel said DBCC expects about 990 breast cancer diagnoses in Delaware this year.

Women are recommended to undergo yearly exams for early detection. The Delaware Division of Public Health recommends all women should have their breasts examined by a doctor or other health professional once a year while women age 40 and older should have regular mammograms, as recommended by their doctor or health professional.

“Annual mammograms for women over 40 can help catch many breast cancers in their early and most treatable forms,” said Molly Magarik, secretary of the Delaware Division of Health and Social Services.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with the DBCC’s Women’s Health Screening Program call 1-888-672-9647.

The state’s Screening for Life program provides payment for cancer screening tests to qualified Delaware adults. The program is a cooperative effort between DPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information and qualifications for the Screening for Life program is available here.