Every October, Green Goes Pink
Raising awareness. Supporting families. Caring beyond the ribbon.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s the time of year when city buildings turn their top lights pink; when fountains are dyed so they bubble pink foam; when football players don pink gloves and cleats every Sunday.
And this year, the Crossroads Hospice team, known for our distinctive green gear, will go pink to join in raising awareness about breast cancer.
This month is about so much more than wearing pink or pinning a pink ribbon to your coat. It’s about raising awareness about a disease that has some sobering statistics, like the fact that one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Or that, according the American Cancer Society, over 42,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year.
While most people are aware of breast cancer, many still neglect to take the steps to catch breast cancer in the early stages.
When breast cancer is found early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 99 percent.
While you can't prevent breast cancer, you can be aware of the ways to catch it in the localized stage. Here are three steps to reduce your risk:
Annual mammogram - These should start at age 40. Women under 40 with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors should speak to their doctor about the best time to begin annual mammograms.
Clinical breast exam - A clinical exam should performed by a trained medical professional at least every three years beginning at age 20 and annually after age 40.
Breast self exam - Performed monthly, self exams can detect changes quickly. 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump and report it to their doctor.
If you haven’t been following these steps, now is the time to put an early detection plan in place. Here at Crossroads, we’re proud to be In the Pink this month in the fight against breast cancer and when it’s time for hospice, Crossroads partners with healthcare professional to support their cancer patients clinically, emotionally, spiritually, and always with the utmost compassion.
Healthcare pros: Let’s talk about supporting your patients with breast cancer.
Schedule a Meeting Refer a Patient Check Eligibility
Caregivers: Is it time for hospice? Learn more here:
Criteria for Hospice Questions Check Eligibility
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder, but the need for cancer-focused care exists all year long.
If you care for patients with end-stage cancer or breast cancer and would like to learn more about how Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care can support your patients and your practice, we invite you to connect with us.
Crossroads works collaboratively with oncologists, primary care providers, hospital teams, skilled nursing facilities, and care coordinators to support patients with end-stage cancer.
Our care is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing treatment plans while providing an added layer of support as needs increase.
For healthcare professionals, partnering with Crossroads can mean:
- Additional clinical support for complex heart patients
- Help navigating difficult conversations with patients and families
- Reduced avoidable hospital utilization
- Confidence that patients are receiving comprehensive, compassionate care
Use the contact options below to schedule a conversation about our heart-focused services and partnership, refer a current patient, or review hospice eligibility criteria for cardiac disease patients.
How Crossroads steps in for cancer patients.
Crossroads supports patients with end-stage cancer by focusing on outcomes that matter most to both patients and healthcare professionals: stability, continuity, and fewer crisis-driven transitions.
Fewer crises. Fewer readmissions.
Repeated hospital stays can take a physical and emotional toll on cancer patients. Crossroads helps patients remain in the setting they prefer, often at home, while still receiving high-level clinical support.
This continuity of care helps:
- Reduce emergency department visits and hospital readmissions
- Improve patient comfort and sense of control
- Support family caregivers with education and hands-on guidance
When symptoms escalate, we’re already there.
Crossroads teams include clinicians who are trained specifically in caring for patients with cancer. This expertise allows us to respond quickly to changes in condition, anticipate symptom escalation, and support both patients and caregivers through each stage of the disease.
When symptoms intensify, Crossroads is available 24/7/365 to support patients, families, and care teams. That means cancer-related medications available in the home, continuous care during periods of acute symptom escalation and rapid clinical response to prevent unnecessary hospital transfers.
Support for patients. And the people around them.
In addition to clinical management, Crossroads supports the emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial needs of patients and caregivers. This means support with difficult conversations before and during hospice care, as well as grief support for families after.
Built to partner with your care team, every day of the year.
At Crossroads, Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t limited to October. The patients we serve with end-stage breast cancer and cancer remind us every day why this work matters.
By recognizing the signs of disease progression, starting conversations earlier, and partnering together, healthcare professionals and hospice teams can help patients with end-stage cancer experience better days, with less suffering and more support.
Care Patients Receive.
Hospice services are delivered wherever the patient calls home. If you wish to remain in your family home, we’ll come there. If you’re in an assisted living facility or nursing home, we can partner with the facility to provide extra, specialized end-of-life care.
While receiving hospice care, patients receive visits from their personal team of healthcare professionals including nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. Each has been trained to meet the patient’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and personal care needs. Your hospice team will help with bathing, administering medication, wound care, companionship, and more.
In addition, all medication, medical equipment, and medical supplies related to your diagnosis will be provided at no cost to you or your family. Contact us now for additional hospice information for patients.
Ready to refer a patient?
If you're a healthcare professional ready to refer a patient with breast cancer for hospice care, please submit a patient referral form online. Our dedicated team is here to provide support and guidance throughout the referral process. We're available 24/7 365 days a year to answer your questions or start a referral. If you think hospice may be the right choice or you just have a few more questions contact us today.