The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, followed by cancer. The scariest part of October is recognizing how big of a masked murderer cancer is. October is dedicated to a specific cancer, breast cancer. In 1985, October became breast cancer awareness month, a month to celebrate the survivors of the vicious murderer, breast cancer. The first association of pink and breast cancer was initiated by Breast cancer survivor, Susan G. Komen. She had been passing out bright pink visors to the runners who had been racing for the cure in 1990. Pink is a strong color. Universally, the color pink has always been associated with the love of oneself and the love of others. The first pink ribbon was initiated in the year 1992, by Evelyn Lauder. She and her husband, Leonard, had been passing out little pink ribbons to customers at their department stores to remind women of their breast examinations.

According to the CDC, “In 2015, the latest year for which incidence data are available, 242,476 new cases of female breast cancer were reported, and 41,523 women died of female breast cancer in the United States. For every 100,000 women, 125 new female breast cancer cases were reported and 20 died of cancer.”

Cancer is a murderer who preys on both men and women. Men have breast tissue as well as women. Breast cancer mainly starts to form by an abnormal growth of cells in the lymph nodes of the breast, and these cells then spread throughout the rest of your body, this growth can begin in both a women’s breast and a man’s breast. Not all Tumors are known to be cancerous, these tumors are cancer-free, and often time do not require much treatment. In some cases, the tumor, which is known as, benign, will be removed by a surgeon, to ensure there will be no possible cancer formation. The surgery is quick and does not require down time. However, if an abnormality is formed, tested to be cancerous, and left untreated, this becomes secondary cancer. This cancer can spread throughout the body, traveling through your blood vessels and linking onto to other lymph nodes in the body forming a further spread of cancer. If, however, the cancer has not spread past the armpit, it is called, ‘primary’. This cancer is understood to be easier to treat.

Remember when your parents used to tell you to eat your broccoli? According to research founded at the University of Michigan, Sulforaphane, a compound in broccoli, has been linked to killing cancer cells in rats with cancer.

Not everyone is aware of the severity of breast cancer and the significance of recognizing survivors. Hyla Ditty, senior at Washburn University, was unaware that October is signified as breast cancer awareness month. Prior to being informed further about the dedication to awareness, Ditty explained, “Washburn is showing that their very progressive minded, and that they want equality for everyone.” Ditty explained that she is aware how severe breast cancer is, and has a plan to keeping herself well, and informed. Ditty said, “I think it’s pretty important to get the awareness out there, just like getting awareness out there about any other hard to talk about subject to talk about, if there’s not a conversation to be had about it then it makes it harder for people to hear about it and transcend it.”

If you are between the ages 21-39, you should be having your breasts examined every 3 years. If you are 40 or older, you should have an annual breast examination. If you have any further questions, the student heath office is available to answer any or all questions you may have regarding breast cancer, or women’s wellness exams. Walk in’s are welcome. Keep thinking pink Bods.

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