Breast Cancer Awareness Month Q&A
Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month? The Wellness Educators on campus are helping educate Dragons about breast cancer, so we asked Wellness Center intern Kailey Carlin to share her knowledge and what’s happening on campus.
How is MSUM raising awareness about breast cancer?
- The Wellness Educators will be hosting a Kin-ball Volleyball Tournament at the Wellness Center on Oct. 17thto help raise awareness by incorporating breast cancer trivia into the games. (Kin-ball is a gigantic, 4-foot ball that makes volleyball that much more fun –see for yourself!)
- The trivia and facts on bathroom boards are designed to educate people on performing self-breast exams and taking preventative measures.
- The MSUM Wellness Center Instagram page also includes facts and preventative measures to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Who does breast cancer affect?
Both men and women can get cancer; however, women are much more likely to get it. Women have a 1 in 8 chance, while men have a 1 in 1,000 chance of getting breast cancer.
Am I at risk if I have family members with breast cancer?
Women who have a family history are at higher risk, but most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistics show only 5-10% of individuals diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer.
What are preventative measures for breast cancer?
You can’t prevent breast cancer, but you can reduce your risk by engaging in physical activity, eating a healthy diet of whole foods, fruits and vegetables, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, perform breast exams once a month, and get a mammogram once a year.
What can you do?
Read up on what you can do to lower your risk, perform self-exams, and get signed up for the Kin-ball Volleyball tournament on Oct. 17 to support breast cancer awareness!