The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s an important month that focuses on educating people about the signs, risks, and prevention of one of the most common cancers that affect many women worldwide. Most importantly, breast cancer awareness is about empowerment, giving people the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their health.
Samantha Pina, a breast cancer survivor, discusses her experience with breast cancer, highlighting her initial realization of something being wrong after contracting coronavirus three times and struggling to recover. She emphasized the support from friends and family, which included daily gifts and visits, as crucial for her recovery. Despite ongoing pain from reconstruction, the presence of loved ones made her recovery easier. Pina advised newly diagnosed individuals to listen to doctors, get second opinions, and ask questions. She stressed the importance of early detection, expressing hope through her children and grandchildren, and urged women to get mammograms.
“Take care of your health. It’s also very treatable if it’s caught early. Listen to the doctors and do all the tests, maybe get a second opinion. The recovery after surgery was the hardest, and the current pain from the reconstruction is hard, but get your mammograms,“ Pina said.
Easton Esquivel, a junior whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, recounts the impact of his mothers stage four breast cancer diagnosis on his family. He describes the emotional turmoil and stress experienced during her bi-monthly treatments and subsequent illness. Esquivel emphasized the importance of support from friends and family during difficult times. He advises other children in similar situations to be present and supportive, acknowledging the limited time with loved ones. Esquivel also highlights the challenges faced by children of cancer survivors, stressing the need for understanding and spending quality time with family.
“So my mom would go to treatment every three weeks, and after treatment she’d be sick for two weeks, and I remember it being very hard and stressful to see her not be able to get out of the house or let alone her bed. I thought I was going to lose my mother. Your time with your loved ones and the people around you is very limited, spend as much time as you can with them,” Esquivel said.
Michael Johnson, a freshman whose mother is currently battling stage 2 breast cancer, talks about how much his mother’s situation has impacted his current life. Johnson mentions how much this month should be appreciated, respected, and how it helps the brave women who have survived or are currently battling breast cancer. Along with how Johnson’s state of mind has changed, he wants to spread as much information about Breast Cancer so more can become aware.
“My mother was diagnosed 3 months ago, she’s been going through chemo and it’s hard to see her so tired after, so I try my best to help her however I can. Honestly, it’s completely changed the way I think and see women,” Johnson said.
Veronica Gomez, a junior whose mother has passed from breast cancer, explains the seriousness and effects of breast cancer. Gomez expresses how breast cancer has severely impacted her life, in many different ways. Even with Gomez’s mother gone she spreads awareness, takes precautions, and shows her respect to women who may be battling or have battled breast cancer before, knowing it’s what her mom would want her to do.
“My mother had stage 4, we tried chemo and surgery, but unfortunately it spread too much to be stopped. She passed away over 3 years ago and I never fail to spread the severity of breast cancer to everyone I can, along with just dedicating the month of October to my mother and women all over who have been victims of this unfortunate cancer,” Gomez said.
Tammy Black, a sophomore who has seen her grandmother and mother battle breast cancer, talks about how most women don’t realize how common this cancer is, and precautions should always be taken. Black honors all the women whose lives have been taken, hoping that in the future scientists can find a cure to stopping this, and saving millions of women’s lives.
“I remember when I was little my grandmother had it, she battled and survived. Since she had it my mother got checked early and they caught it in her, luckily since it was so early it was easily treatable but unfortunately I’m at high risk for it, so it’s important I take precautions, and not just me, all women should,” Black said.
Even when Breast Cancer Awareness month comes to a close, it’s important to remember that the fight against breast cancer doesn’t end with October. Awareness must continue year-round to support women who have dealt, or are currently dealing with, breast cancer.