Bobbing for boobs: More to October than Halloween
By Jackie Zimmermann, Staff Writer
November 5, 2007 | noon
While the month of October is often haunted by witches and goblins, an even more dangerous threat has gained exposure throughout last month as well: breast cancer.
Every October, the breast cancer beast is given a face thanks to the many events and fundraisers that occur during its national awareness month. Three years ago, the American Cancer Society created an organization called Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) to promote a network among colleges to help raise awareness and funds for specific cancers throughout the year.
Ohio University’s branch of the organization has put on numerous events throughout the month, including a symbolic pink balloon launch and T-shirts sold in Baker University Center for $10 each.
“We had a lot of success selling T-shirts,” said senior Ashley Jones, chair of Colleges Against Cancer Survivorship. “Last year we sold 500, and this year we sold 250.”
All the proceeds from the T-shirts went to CAC’s team for the Relay for Life at the end of the year. The fundraiser, however, was not only about raising money but also about raising awareness in college students.
“A lot of students don’t know that one in eight women in their life will have breast cancer,” Jones said. “They don’t think about it when they are in college.”
The month ended with a Breast Cancer Survivor Reception Friday, Oct. 26 in Baker. The reception incorporated an assortment of breast cancer awareness themed goodies, including strawberries with pink chocolate, cookies, balloons with the breast cancer ribbon printed on them and gift bags for those attending.
The reception gave survivors a chance to meet one another and provide encouragement to those still battling the disease.
“It’s basically a forum for area survivors to meet each other and know that they have a support network on campus of people that are working to find a cure,” Jones said.
Athens resident Georgie Carleton attended the reception after her daughter, Alden librarian Janet Carleton, read about it on the university’s event calendar. She is currently in treatment and seemed to feel that the reception was a positive influence for those attending.
It brought people out to support each other, she said. “They put a lot of work into it, and they had it beautifully organized.”
Staying healthy: Tips for early breast cancer detection and self-exams
Even though the biggest concern most college women have about their breasts is how they look in a specific top, women who are 20 years of age and older should perform self breast examinations every month according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.'s Web site.
There is a simple, three-step process to a self-examination, and considering all of the benefits one can gain from early detection of breast cancer, taking 10 minutes out of one’s schedule once a month should be a top health priority.
The first step to a self-examination can be done in the shower. Place the right hand behind the head and with the left hand, gently rub around the breast looking for lumps, hard knots or thickening. Breast tissue is formed in groups, so the natural bumps felt by pushing down are not a concern. Instead, compare the textures of the breasts and look for any concerning differences between the two.
For the second step, stand topless in front of a mirror. Inspect the breasts with the arms lying comfortably at the sides, then raise them up over the head and look for any dimpling or lumps that may appear. Also look for changes in the nipple. Before gravity takes a hold of the breasts and drags them down to the top of a woman’s pants, young women’s nipples are mostly pointing up or out. Regardless of age or perkiness, nipples should be pointing in the same direction, and there should not be any concerning discharge or lumps.
For the final step of the self-examination, repeat step one while lying down instead of standing in the shower. According to the Tennessee Breast Center, Inc.'s Web site, most of the time a mass can only be felt in one position, so inspecting the breasts while lying down and standing up will heighten the chance of early detection.
These self-examinations should be done every month, and clinical breast examinations should also begin at age 20 and should occur every three years until age 39. After that, it is recommended to have them done every year. A mammogram should be preformed every one to two years for women between the ages of 40 to 49 and every year after the age of 50.
While regular examinations will help lead to early detection, there are also certain risk factors that college women should be aware of and make attempts to avoid while still young. Although no one knows exact causes of breast cancer, certain lifestyle choices have been linked to breast cancer. These include diets high in saturated fat, ingesting high levels of hormones such as estrogen and progestrogen (which includes some birth control pills) and moderate alcohol consumption. Family history of breast cancer, particularly with a mother or sister, and having children at an older age or never having children have also been connected to instances of cancer.
Even though bras continue to be uncomfortable, and underwire rarely stays in place, college women can become aware of any significant and long-term breast related problems by performing these self-examinations and making healthy lifestyle choices.
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