This month is filled with exciting football games with friends, pumpkin spiced everything, grocery store aisles lined with candy and re-watching Hocus Pocus (no matter what age you are!)
But more importantly, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 1 in 3 Cancers that are diagnosed in the United States is Breast Cancer. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime but there are things you can do to help prevent breast cancer. Such as: exercise, eating cancer reducing foods such as salmon, pomegranate, green tea, etc., knowing your family history, breastfeeding and watching your alcohol consumption are important ways to lower your odds of getting breast cancer.
Early detection can also be a life saver. You can reduce your risk by performing monthly self-exams starting at the age of 20. Self exams should be done around the same time every month, seven to ten days after your cycle. You can perform breast self-exams in the shower, in front of a mirror, or lying down. Look for lumps, skin thickening or changes in nipple appearance. Make sure to see a doctor if you notice any changes. You should also have clinical breast exams with a physician every 3 years starting at the age of 20; and annually after age 40. It’s important to be aware of what’s going on with your body to help find and treat diseases early on. It’s just as important to spread the word about mammograms and encourage communities, organizations, families and individuals to get involved! This article was inspired to show support for breast cancer fighters and survivors, while honoring those who were taken.
This article is dedicated to Dr. Judy Brown-Allen. A tenured Sociology professor, attorney, mentor, role model and stage four breast cancer survivor. She had graduated from law school and was about to begin her career as a corporate lawyer when she began noticing that she was losing a lot of her hair and experiencing severe night sweats. “Before I could even taste it – it was all snatched away overnight,” she said.
After many years and 16 different surgeries, she became cancer-free in 2003. Unfortunately, this past Spring she found out that her cancer had returned. Her generosity and service while going through this extend far beyond herself and into the community as well. One of her notable accomplishments is helping to set up a Survivor’s Walk for Kennesaw State University through Relay for Life. This is just a small legacy that she holds. She’s an incredible woman. She’s the 1 in 8 that urges you get checked, take care of your body and help raise awareness for Breast Cancer.
Jasmine Graham
PR/Editorial Intern