Pink Power

The month of October is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness in hopes to educate individuals about breast health and early detection tests, however, what many do not know is that this benign cancer can occur in men and women of all ages.

“Awareness surrounding breast cancer is incredibly important as early detection, often through screening, can catch the disease when it is most treatable,” according to a statement from the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Before purchasing pink pride merchandise and signing up for pink power races, it is recommended that individuals should think before they pink. Meaning people should learn about what breast cancer truly is and who it affects before they post their #pinkpose on social media.

“Awareness of a disease begins with education,” said Brittney Shoemake to WellMed.

The Center for Disease and Control states that breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are more than 200,000 cases of breast cancer in the United States every year and it is most commonly found among females, and rarely occurs in males. Symptoms of breast cancer can include a lump in the breast, pain in any area of the breast or changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast.

According to the CDC most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years or older, but at the rare chance breast cancer can also affect younger women and men. About 11% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age and about 1 out of 100 breast cancers diagnosed is found in a man.

“While breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are difficult for women of any age, younger women may find this experience overwhelming,” according to a statement by the Center for Disease and Control.

The CDC reported that young women may have a higher risk of breast cancer if they have close relatives who were diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, changes in certain breast cancer genes, been treated with breast or chest radiation therapy in their childhood or early adulthood or had experienced breast health problems in the past.

Students and faculty can visit Lynn University’s health center if they think they may be at a high risk of breast cancer or notice any sudden changes in their breasts.