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Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims at early prevention

by Alison Fosbenner
Staff Writer

This month, it is all about the ladies.

For 20 years October has been recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since October 1984, breast cancer has been on the rise and is the most common cancer in women, according to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Web Site (www.nbcam.org).

Director of Health Services Dr. Patricia A. Geiger explained that breast cancer is cancer of the breast tissue where an abnormal cell grows and injures normal cells.

Geiger said breast cancer could occur as early as the twenties but that it is very rare. However, breast cancer is more aggressive, the younger a person is.

“The risk increases with age,” Geiger said.

There is no definite cause that has been identified, Geiger said.

Many women, mostly younger women, fall into the belief that the continual use of a bra and/or deodorant can cause breast cancer.
Geiger rules out these myths.

“There is no association and no valid studies to show such evidence,” Geiger said.

To recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Women’s Center will hold a bake sale on Thursday, Oct. 21 in Plemmons Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

But this is not a typical bake sale. Instead of brownies, banana bread, apple pie and plain cup cakes, the Women’s Center will whip up and sell “breast cakes” – cupcakes to resemble breasts. A cup, B cup and C cup sizes will be sold.

“No breast is alike,” Women’s Center intern Heather M. Jones said.
Proceeds from the awareness event will go to the Blue Ridge Cancer Coalition.

In an attempt to represent all types of women, chocolate, vanilla, spice and red velvet cupcake flavors with different icing will be on sale.

“The idea was to have cupcakes of different sizes, flavors, and colors to represent everyone,” Freshman psychology major Samantha J. Hanner of the Women’s Center said.

“The sale is not meant to exploit the female anatomy,” Jones said. “But instead reclaim it as a natural part of life and to appreciate health, love, happiness and the love your body connection as well.”

To promote early breast cancer awareness, they will also hand out informational brochures, ribbons, stickers, etc.

In addition to the breast cake bake sale, the Women’s Center will host a discussion group to address women’s issues from 12-1 p.m. in their office, in the Nolichucky River Room, across from Crossroads Cafe.

“I think it’s for a good cause,” Hanner said. “If nothing else, it’s to raise awareness.”

Friday is National Mammography Day. President Clinton declared the third Friday of October as this day in 1993, according to www.nbcam.org.

“I think that all women need to be aware of breast cancer,” Geiger said.
Since a mammography is not necessary until a later age, Geiger recommends that female Appalachian State University students perform a monthly self-breast exam for early detection. If something feels different, then get it checked out just to make sure.

She mentioned that most women detect their own lumps.

“Eight out of 10 breast lumps that are removed are benign, non-cancerous,” according to www.breastcancer.org.

“It is important to know your body,” Geiger said.