Lindsay Willette

For most women, pink isa life- saving color.

October is breast cancer awareness month. The main purpose of this month is to educate women about breast cancer, by emphasizing the importance of early detection through mammogram screening.

For more than 20 years the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has educated women about early detection. The NBCAM goal is to reach out to more women with several key messages, most importantly is detection through annual mammogram screening for women older than 40.

Students need to be aware that breast cancer is out there.

“Breast cancer Awareness Month reminds students how important regular checkups are,” says Andrea Marty, senior early childhood education major.

Checkups have become so important that in 1993, former President Bill Clinton announced that the third Friday in October is National Mammography Day, held this year Friday, Oct. 21 . On this day and throughout the month, women are encouraged to make mammogram appointments.

Physicians during this month usually see a slight increase in the patients that they see. According to one local physician when women approach age 40 and older, they should have yearly or even a six-month check up.

A family history of breast cancer can double a person’s risk for the disease.

Those with no family history are at risk as well. can still be a candidate for cancer. Physicians’ best advice is to get checked once a year, or do self-examination.

Even men can develop breast cancer, 16 hundred men are predicted to develop breast cancer. Of the 1,600 that are expected to get breast cancer 400 will die from it.

According to NBCAM, special populations are more at risk for breast cancer than others, including minorities, older women and African American women. These populations are recorded as having the highest breast- cancer death rate than women of any other racial or ethnic population.

In the United States, more than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be reported this year. With developing technology, physicians are able to diagnose the disease and start treatment earlier. As a result, breast cancer survivors make up the largest group of cancer survivors.