Julie Frank

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women today, with one in seven developing the disease.

October is breast cancer awareness month, and now is the time for women to educate themselves.

Brenda Andersen, a family nurse practitioner and associate director of the Student Health center, said even though breast cancer is rare in young women, it is important for them “… to learn their own anatomy and to notice changes” in their bodies.

Three tips to help avoid breast cancer:

Conduct monthly breast self-examinations. Early detection is key to high survival rates. As women become older, their risk increases and they should schedule yearly exams with their doctors.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy, especially fruits, vegetables and foods high in fiber, along with exercise, can lower chances of obtaining the disease.

Minimizing alcohol intake also decreases women’s risks.

Know family history. Females with multiple family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, especially on their mother’s side, are at a higher risk. Females who inherit BRCA1 or BRCA2 (known as breast cancer genes) that are “abnormal” or “mutants” have up to an 85 percent greater chance of obtaining the disease. Males have a 6 percent increase, also.

For more information, call SDSU Student Health and Counseling Services at 688-4157.

#1.884141:2152698739.jpg:Cancer.jpg:Biology professor Carol Wake wears her “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” t-shirt. The t-shirt proceeds go to community members fighting breast cancer.: