BARSTOW, Calif. - Numerous people lose their loved ones to cancerous cells that manifest in the breast every year; breast cancer awareness month helps fight this cancer by keeping people aware and knowledgeable of the cancer and how to treat it before it’s too late.
“Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women,” said Sonja Morales, breast cancer awareness chairman on National Training Center Fort Irwin.
1.4 out of every 100,000 women, ages 20-24, die from breast cancer yearly; and 450 out of every 100,000 women, ages 75-79, die from breast cancer a year, she added.
“Breast cancer awareness month is held to educate and support women who may be susceptible to the cancer,” said Morales.
Being aware can encourage people to call for early signs of breast cancer, and to go get tested, she added. Educating one’s self about breast cancer, and how it can be caused and prevented, could save a life.
If breast cancer runs in your family, Morales encourages women to be tested at an early age.
“Your (medical) provider will research your family history and approve you. However, most women get their first mammogram when they turn 40 years old.”
A mammogram is a test that screens for breast cancer, Morales explained. A doctor will take the breast tissue and place it on a platform; the tissue is then compressed and x-rayed, to look for positive or negative results. The doctor also looks for any discoloration of the breast, which is an indicator of breast cancer as well.
“This test can identify a mass (sign of cancer) before a patient feels any kind of lumps,” said Morales. “However, this cancer doesn’t only affect women.”
Five percent of men are affected by breast cancer, she added.
Cancer doesn’t only have an effect on the patient, but everyone who is around that person, expressed Pfc. Adrian Velasco, administrative clerk with Headquarters Battalion on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
“When my mom had breast cancer it was hard on my whole family,” said Velasco. “I remember (she was) always gone (at the hospital). Sometimes, she would be gone for weeks at a time getting treatment … I would miss her a lot.”
The Monrovia, Calif., native further explained that his mother found out about her cancer early and was able to get the proper treatment in time.
“Breast Cancer awareness month really helped my mom; it educated her about how to get treatment, and how frequently she should get a checkup. She was able to catch it early which saved her life.”
Fort Irwin is hosting a 5k run that will begin at the Mary Walker Clinic on Fort Irwin to raise awareness of breast cancer, concluded Morales.
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2013 17:17 |
| Story ID: | 114968 |
| Location: | BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, October: Host to another Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by LCpl Norman Eckles, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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