Staff and students at East campus refused to let the COVID-19 pandemic distract them as they donned pink clothing to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 22.
"This sends an important message that we have not forgotten," said Ms. Gayle Voltz, the campus director and a breast cancer survivor.
As all were required to wear face coverings for safety reasons, some used the occasion to wear pink masks or cloths to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which occurs every October to raise awareness about the disease.
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.
According to breastcancer.org, about 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2020, an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 48,530 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.
There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include:
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
- Pain in any area of the breast.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood).
- A new lump in the breast or underarm.
If you have any signs that worry you, see your doctor right away.
Photos by Ms. Latricia Jones, campus instructional facilitator