Staff and students at Varnett’s East Campus observed National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday, October 29, by wearing pink clothing and showing support for those who have been stricken by the disease.
The day was chosen for the campus to raise awareness about the importance of screening and the early detection of breast cancer, said Campus Director Gayle Voltz.
About 1 in 8 females born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point during her life, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Breast cancer will claim approximately 40,000 American lives this year alone and, after skin cancer, is the most common kind of cancer afflicting woman.
Breast cancer can also occur in men, with more than 2,000 being diagnosed each year, DHHS reports.
“We asked the kids to wear pink to show support for saving a life,” Ms. Voltz said. “Early detection is the key.”
Ms. Voltz estimated that about 85 percent of the students wore pink. “We all got a chance to join in with other organizations that were encouraging families to get tested,” she said.
Many women survive breast cancer if it’s found early and treated. “Spread the word about mammograms and encourage communities, organizations, families and individuals to get involved,” says a DSHS fact sheet.
Ms. Voltz said that while many young students may not clearly understand the significance of the awareness campaign, some may have crossed paths with people who have or had breast cancer. Last year a Varnett 5th grader wrote an essay about knowing people who have breast cancer and his support for cancer victims. “I wish everyone would be aware of breast cancer and pray that all women will win the battle,” Tylan Zachery wrote. “I also want to show support for the women who lost the battle against breast cancer.”
Since men have breast tissue, they can get breast cancer, too, and 410 men in the United States are expected to die from breast cancer in a year, according to Susan G. Komen, a foundation dedicated to education and research about the causes, treatment and the search for a cure.
“Cancer affects a lot of men more than people think,” Ms. Voltz said.