Alexis Anderson and Darnishia Spraggins/Staff Writers
Students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to view an interactive presentation about breast cancer when the Susan G. Komen college tour visited Jackson State University on Oct. 14, 2011.
Komen for the Cure will visit states like, Texas, Calif., La., Ariz., N.M., to inform students about the risks of not knowing the facts about breast cancer and the consequences of not getting early detection breast cancer screens.
In 2004, with support from the LIFE organization and the Val Skinner Foundation, Komen launched On the Way to the Cure –the Komen College Tour, a 10-stop educational college tour designed to engage young women in the fight against breast cancer.
Shannon Bowers, the tour manager/founding sponsor for the college tour, said, “We have been on the road traveling to 10 different states to engage students in the fight against breast cancer. The Komen On the Go is designed to teach students about health. There are four computers that have videos about the four important steps to practice for breast self-awareness, as well as a survey to about facts about breast cancer.”
Recognizing that these are important messages for women of all ages, in 2005 Komen expanded the scope of the tour, renaming it Komen On the Go and adding community stops. Traveling with two pink vehicles, this outreach initiative has and will continue to make hundreds of stops to encourage women across the U.S. to learn more about breast health and make a commitment to practical every day, health habits that could save their lives.
Sharrell Rodgers, a sophomore early child education major from Chicago, Ill., said, “I felt like it helped me out more about learning information that I didn’t already know. I learned that it’s important to go to the doctor and get screenings.”
Courtney Ramsey, a senior psychology major from Greenwood, Miss. said, “It’s amazing to come out and get educated about this disease.”
A man’s risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction andulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient. As with cancer of the female breast, the cause of cancer of the male breast has not been fully characterized, but both environmental influences and genetic (inherited) factors likely play a role in its development.
“The study has showed that women are the most are risk. The youngest age for breast cancer is 20 years old and the oldest is 40 years old. Men account for 1-2% of breast cancer cases, so it is vital that men are informed about the precautions to take. After the person is done watching the videos and taking the survey, they are given a free handbag and a shirt,” said Bowers.
The following risk factors for the development of male breast cancer have been identified.
• Radiation to ionizing radiation has been associated with an increased risk of developing male breast cancer.
• Men who have previously undergone radiation therapy to treat malignancies of the chest area (Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70).
The four Steps are:
(1) Know your Risk – Talk to doctors, family, ask questions.
(2) Get Screened – Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk. Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk. Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40.
(3) Know what is normal for you- See the health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes: Lumps, hard knots in your breast; Swelling, warmth, redness of the breast; Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple; Nipple discharge and Change in the size or shape of the breast.
(4) Make healthy lifestyle choices – Maintain a healthy diet. Add exercise to your routine. Limit alcohol intake.
D’erica Mccondichie, a senior biology major from Detroit, Mich., said, “I believe it’s a great opportunity to educate people on breast cancer. Although, I was already informed about breast cancer, I learned more information.”
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