Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By: Sean Chavez '24

The month of October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). The story of the pink ribbon, which has become the universal symbol for breast cancer, started in the early 1990s by a woman named Charlotte Haley who wanted to spread awareness. It was in October 1992 when the ribbon would officially be pink after originally being a peach color.

Breast cancer works the same as any other cancer with the cancerous cells growing and invading different parts of the body. This process is called metastasizing which leads to symptoms such as lumps on the breast. As the cancer worsens and the tumors grow they eventually affect other parts of the body and develop tumors there. When the cancer reaches stage 4 it is incurable but still treatable.

Some of the things to look out for are any changes in the nipple area of the breast or any strange and abnormal lumps. Things such as swelling and change of appearance can also be signs of breast cancer. Another thing can be to look out for any clear or bloody discharge from the nipples which can also be a symptom of breast cancer. If you are unsure, it is best to go to your doctor for an examination.

When treating breast cancer there are generally five treatment options which include surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and other targeted therapies. Some of these treatments will target specific parts of the body while others target the body as a whole in order to treat the cancer. Surgery is the most common option for treating breast cancer where depending on the severity of the cancer, they may simply cut out the cancer or have to remove the breast. Radiation treatment uses high-energy rays to kill the cancer and may be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body.

Chemotherapy is a combination of different drugs and medications used to either kill or slow down the cancer depending on what stage it is. Hormone therapy uses injections of hormones like estrogen and progesterone and others that help regulate body cycles. This treatment is normally used for tumors that are fueled by these hormones. The most common therapy drug Tamoxifen is a hormone blocker that blocks estrogen in the cells in order to stop estrogen-fueled tumors from growing.

Most recently targeted therapies have been developed to be more effective. Targeted therapies with a combination of chemotherapy target and kill the cancer cells without harming the healthy cells within the body. Targeted therapy drugs normally have less severe side effects compared to medications used in chemotherapy. Dealing with the effects of surgery includes communicating and listening to your doctor while attending follow-up appointments and treating the affected area.

Since most treatments for breast cancer include combinations of therapies, there is a high risk of side effects, but there are ways to manage them that are provided by the NBCF. Eating smaller and blander meals throughout the day can help differentiate whether the food someone is eating is causing nausea or vomiting or if it is a result of chemotherapy.

To manage the side effects of radiation which mainly affect the surface of the skin it is important to moisturize those areas affected. It is also recommended to try walking for at least 30 minutes to help with fatigue caused by treatment. Hormonal and targeted therapies can end up causing long-term side effects so it is important to communicate with your doctor and to continue practicing healthy habits such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and reducing alcohol intake.

Lastly, there are many myths about breast cancer. One myth is that breast cancer is more common in women with bigger breasts and there is no connection between breast size to the risk of cancer. Another myth is that breast cancer only affects middle-aged or older women. While most cases do involve older women, women of all ages still are at risk for cancer. There is also the myth that every lump you find means you have cancer. The reality is that only a small percentage of lumps turn out to be breast cancer but women should still be cautious just in case. One last misconception is that breast cancer only affects women. While the percentage of men diagnosed with breast cancer is small the mortality rate is higher by 25% due to a lack of awareness that men are also at risk.

It is important that people spread awareness of the risk of breast cancer, not only so that people can seek treatment but so that they can gain support through it. Some ways that people can help are by making donations or starting local fundraisers which not only help fund research but also provide financial support so that people with breast cancer can receive the treatment they need. Sharing your own experiences, whether you or someone else you know is a survivor, can help provide emotional support and let others know that they are not alone and that treatment is available.