I have supported breast cancer for quite some time by donating to certain charities and supporting friends who attend the walks. But it wasn't until recently that I became more active in the movement. A few months ago, I received a scare. Thanks to the information provided to me on breast cancer awareness, I was able to detect something out of the ordinary. I was frightened and didn't know what to expect. With support from my mother, sister and husband, I followed up with a breast surgeon. After several examinations, I am OK. However, if I was not attentive to what my body was saying, I could have very well ignored something serious.

Unfortunately, breast cancer is an all-too-common disease that affects the sufferer and her entire family. Therefore, it's important that all family members learn about and understand the disease so they can provide the necessary support.

You may not know of someone suffering from breast cancer, but it would be a wonderful gesture to demonstrate support for an important cause. Join others from around the world and help battle this terrible illness. No woman should go through the pain alone. Let's extend a helping hand.

Here are four ways to support breast cancer awareness:

Research breast cancer

. It is essential to keep informed. Study the information and the ways to detect if something is wrong. It may be a good idea to go to sites such as National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. The information can benefit you or someone close to you. Educating yourself can save a life.

Donate to accredited foundations

. Before considering donating money, be sure the charity is legitimate. A couple of creditable foundations are the American Cancer Society or Susan G. Komen.

Create a fundraiser or donation website

. If you have a blog or website already established, include a fundraising or donation button where people can donate any dollar amount to breast cancer awareness. This is one way to get your kids involved in an awareness campaign and community service. If you do not have a blog or website, research sites such as Youcaring.com to form a fundraising website of your own. Be sure to note on your website that all proceeds will be donated to breast cancer awareness.

Volunteer

. Actively participate in an organization. Show support by asking a few of your friends or family members to join the breast cancer walks. Help spread the word by writing a blog dedicated to breast cancer awareness or by word of mouth. Perhaps visit cancer patients at your local hospital and volunteer to help in any way possible.

There are several ways women can discover breast cancer early. This includes self-examination or a mammogram for women over the age of 50 - or younger if recommended by a doctor like in my particular case. An ultrasound can be used to detect unusual masses and a fine-needle aspiration can be conducted to find out if the mass is cancerous or not. Before you conduct a self-examination, consult with your doctor or cancer specialist to learn what to look for. If you have any questions or doubts about something, never hesitate to contact your doctor.

If you happen to know someone who is suffering from breast cancer or suffering from the idea she may have breast cancer, try to support her the best way possible. A strong support system is always needed.