Events spread breast cancer awareness

From pink ribbons to male beauty pageants, Breast Cancer Awareness Month means events across campus and Bloomington throughout October.

Bloomington is hosting its 12th Annual Bloomington Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at 9 a.m. Saturday in Showers Plaza. The walk is free, but all donations support local breast cancer organizations.

Committee member Randi Naylor said the event helps promote awareness throughout the community by bringing survivors and community members together.

“It’s a really good way to get involved in the community and see other people who are involved in the community,” Naylor said.

Most events emphasize the importance of awareness in combating breast cancer. For
example, Planned Parenthood of Indiana offers women several ways to stay aware of their own breast health through screenings.

Sophomore Tari Morales said she wasn’t even aware that October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month until an on-campus fundraiser caught her attention.

“It’s definitely something that’s not talked about, and we need to talk about it more, especially as women,” Morales said.

According to statistics from Planned Parenthood of Indiana and the Indiana State Department the lives of 942 women and eight men across Indiana in 2006. Nationwide, it is the seventh-leading cause of death among women. Because breast cancer affects so many across the state, Planned Parenthood of Indiana urges women to get breast exams.

Liz Carroll, vice president for Patient Services at Planned Parenthood of Indiana and breast cancer survivor, said regular exams are important because they help catch cancer in its early stages.

“So I think, you know, people need to be aware,” Carroll said. “This is a disease that has good outcomes if it’s caught early.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that women over 40 receive a yearly mammogram. However, women are advised to receive a clinical breast exam at least every three years as part of a periodic health exam, beginning at age 20. After age 40, women are advised to receive this exam every year.

“One thing we certainly would encourage any young person (to do), even if they are not at an age for a mammogram, encourage your loved ones to have the appropriate screening,” Carroll said.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana does clinical breast exams and teaches women how to perform breast self-exams. They also provide a referral if a mammogram is needed. The IU Health Center provides the same services to students through its Women’s Clinic.

Women should be on the lookout for changes in their own bodies. Carroll said this is especially important for younger women who don’t necessarily receive a yearly mammogram.

“If something does not feel normal, they shouldn’t feel any hesitation about seeing a clinician to have it checked out,” Carroll said. “We don’t want them to worry – we want them to do something.”