October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month, an annual campaign that educates people about the impacts of breast cancer and raises funds for research on prevention, treatment and a cure for the disease.
Founded in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries Pharmaceuticals, the initiative made significant progress in its mission and continues to expand its efforts internationally. You may recognize the campaign from its pink-themed marketing campaign and community events like Susan G. Comen’s “Race for the Cure.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, it is the second most diagnosed cancer affecting women in the United States. Current research for the disease overwhelmingly focuses on women’s health, but breast cancer is not exclusive and can be found in any individual.
There is no distinct cause for the disease, The National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Inc compiled a list of genetic and environmental risk factors to help assess your likelihood of it developing. Though cancer growth cannot be prevented, you can decrease your risk by taking steps towards a healthy lifestyle.
Current online trends like “that girl” routines, hot girl walks and pilates have encouraged healthy lifestyle shifts, rapidly gaining traction across social media platforms. With this uptick in focus on a healthy lifestyle, incorporating a self breast-exam should be seen as another form of self-care to be integrated in a monthly routine. Amidst the stresses of academics, extracurriculars and social events, adding another form of assessments can be an unpleasant activity. It is easy to forget the importance of health through busy periods of life, but that does not mean that you can ignore it!
West Side Story actress Rachel Zegler recently opened up on social media about her breast cancer scare in 2020, when she was 19. She wrote on her Instagram story, “Two years ago I found a lump in my breast and went through what was undoubtedly the scariest week of my life.”
Courtesy of Rachel Zegler on Instagram
Thankfully the lump in her breast was benign, but the jarring experience could have been worse if she had not sought treatment. Zegler concludes her post by writing, “The fibroadenoma in my left breast is a common occurrence but nevertheless extremely scary to find. Early detection saves lives!!! Check your t***y meat :).”
After discovering the lump, Zegler used her story to encourage her audience to perform regular breast exams and seek medical advice from an OB/GYN. It is never too early to begin checking for abnormalities, and Zegler’s story demonstrates the importance of early detection in younger populations.
Monthly self-examination aims to identify any abnormalities of the tissue including lumps, thickening or hard knots in the tissue surrounding the breasts and armpit area. Visual inspection also tracks changes in shape, texture or color that may indicate something more serious. Breastcancer.org offers a comprehensive guide to self-examination, as well as other learning resources focused on the disease.
If you notice something is off, don’t hesitate to have it checked by a medical professional. Healthcare in the US is difficult to access for many, but thankfully campus medical offices are available for college students navigating care for the first time. Campus medical offices are great resources for education and treatment, offering information on self-exams and helping students locate external treatment facilities when necessary. Don’t let fear deter you from getting the help you need!