In 1989, October was named “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
Since then, the month has been used to, “raise awareness for breast cancer, increase screenings, and provide critical support for patients and survivors.”
Over the last 36 years, this month-long campaign has reduced breast cancer deaths by 44 percent through aiding women around the world by spreading knowledge on the illness.
The pink ribbon, the month’s symbol, came into light in 1992 when SELF magazine partnered with fashion company Estee Lauder and distributed pink ribbons to promote the magazine’s 2nd Breast Cancer Awareness issue.
Since then, the iconic ribbon has been altered to shed light on the fact that not all breast cancer patients are the same. Some examples of different cases are people with metastatic breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, and even men who have breast cancer.
One of Hernando’s staff members, Jennifer Parson, is a breast cancer survivor.
“…the month is difficult because it brings back a lot of those feelings you had, especially being so new out.”
Parson recently became a survivor, having gone through her treatment just last school year.
“October was especially my hardest month last year. I was going through the worst of it all.”
Not only was she going through the most difficult part of her Breast Cancer treatment, but she was also continuing to show up to her job as an English teacher here at Hernando.
“It’s difficult. I mean, I get it because we want awareness. We want people to get tested early.”
There are several factors that aid in early breast cancer detection. Some are change in the breast’s shape or size, pain in the area, or new lumps in the breast area or underarm.
The most commonly affected are women above 50, but that is not the only group breast cancer can occur in. Parson agrees that the month should be used to aid women in getting early screenings to ensure they are cancer free.
For Parson, and other Breast Cancer survivors, being cancer free does not mean the ending of your treatment.
“I have to go back for a diagnostic mammogram, which is a lot more intense than any of the other ones. I’m also still on the medicine to make sure it doesn’t return, and I will be on that for 10 years.”
As a survivor, Parson had one piece of advice for those who were just diagnosed.
“These [the doctors giving the treatment] are the experts, so just listen to the experts. Try to stay away from any type of Googling because you will see the worst possible outcomes. Just trust the people whose job it is to treat you.”
Breat Cancer awareness month has made a major impact in spreading awareness on the disease, but, like Parson stated, the month is also met with a lot of difficult emotions because it brings many back to a dark time in their lives.
So, what can you as an outsider do to aid the breast cancer campaign?
Donations directly to breast cancer research sights is a great way to help during this month, but there are plenty of other ways to get involved in the movement. A few options are starting a fundraiser, participating in a local event in honor of breast cancer awareness, or visiting the learning center website to educate yourself on the illness that effects so many.
