By Emily Hernandez Dominguez, Contributing Writer
October is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer forms in the cells of the breasts of both women and, rarely, men. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Next year, new breast cancer diagnoses are expected to number more than 200,000 for women and more than 2,000 for men.
Breast cancer awareness is crucial. Early detection, often through screening, can catch the disease when it is most treatable.
To detect breast cancer, mammography is performed. Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast for diagnosis and screening. Detecting masses or microcalcifications can help determine if a woman has cancer. Through the CDC website, women can access information on where they can access free or low-cost mammograms.
Although breast cancer is most common among women over 50, awareness is more crucial than ever. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is the second leading cause of death among women. By educating people of all ages, women will get checked for early detection, educate older family members and encourage them to get checked, and lastly, help support those who have cancer.
Saint Leo University has invited students to participate in of awareness activities. The Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Anthony DeSantis, has been doing a run/walk every Tuesday this month for breast cancer awareness.
DeSantis explained he started the run/walk groups about six years ago at the University of Florida, brought them to the Florida International University, and continued them here at Saint Leo University.
Human Resources at Saint Leo University reached out to DeSantis to see if he would collaborate with them to support Breast Cancer Awareness through his event every Tuesday at 5:30 pm at the SAB Building.
“The purpose of these run/walk groups is to get staff and students active while building community,” he stated.
Students have till the end of October to join the walking/running group. It is open to everyone of every level of physical capability.
In addition, if students are interested in participating in a breast cancer awareness event, Lambda Pi Chi sorority will host a Breast Cancer Awareness event on Oct. 24, 2022, at 12:30 pm. The event will be located at Student Activities Building Loggia.
Hosting events on campus allows for educating young adults before they are at risk for developing breast cancer, which is essential to helping future generations have a more substantial chance of beating it.
