College women should be aware of breast cancer,too
By Megan Maclejowski Special to the Kansan
During October, pink ribbons could be seen on posters, lapels, brochures — virtually everywhere on campus.
Most students had a vague idea that the ribbons stood for breast cancer awareness and that October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the significance was lost on many.
To students, breast cancer may seem like a distant disease, one that affects older relatives and not younger people. But Candyce Waitley, nurse and health educator at Watkins Memorial Health Center, encouraged students to think again. She said that while breast cancer was relatively rare in college-age women, awareness of the disease was especially important at this age.
"Many significant and lasting health habits are developed during the college years," Waitley said. "These are the habits that will determine their health and awareness down the road when they are more at risk."
For women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death after lung cancer. It is estimated that one in every eight women will develop breast cancer. This year alone, 46,000 women will die of the disease in the United States. Most women with breast cancer are older than 40, but 9,600 women under 40 will find out they have the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society.
The risk for breast cancer increases with age, although it can occur in women in their late teens and early 20s.
"College-age women can and do develop breast cancer," Waitley said. "It is rare, but it does happen and women need to be aware of that."
The main concern for college women should be developing healthy habits and practices that could detect breast cancer and lead to early treatment of the disease, Waitley said. Women can take three steps to ensure breast health: monthly breast self-examinations, yearly examinations by a physician and mammograms.
"Breast self-exams are the most important at this age." Waitley said.
Susan McDaneld, program coordinator and charge nurse for Family Planning/ STD at Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, 336 Missouri St, also stressed the importance of self-exams. She said physician exams could begin when a woman was in her early 20s. Mammograms, which are breast X-rays,
should be done every year after a woman reaches 40.
However, women should start self-breast examinations in their teens, McDaneld said. The self-examinations help women know their bodies well enough to know when something is unusual. McDaneld said that because breast tissue was naturally lumpy, what was important is not the actual lumps but the changes in texture and appearance.
"It's important for women to be familiar with the normal conditions of their breasts," McDaneld said. "That way, when there is a change, they can detect it early and seek help."
Women should perform breast self-examinations monthly, usually right after the woman has her period when her breasts are not tender or swollen. The easiest way to do the exam is to lie down and put one arm behind the head while using the other hand to feel the breast. Using the pads of the fingers, move the fingers in a set way, either in an up-and-down line, circle or wedge, feeling for abnormalities. Women also should look in the mirror and check for changes in breast appearance.
The breast self-examination does prove to be effective for women who do it regularly, McDaneld said. In fact, most cancerous lumps are found by self-examination, she said.
Because cancer is influenced by several factors, certain people are at greater risk. One factor is having a family history of breast cancer. However, 75 percent of women with the disease do not have a family history of it. For women who do have breast cancer in their families, the risk of developing it may be as high as 50 percent.
Other factors include having children after the age of 30 or never having children, starting menstruation early, late menopause and smoking. However, even if a woman does not fit into any of these categories, there always is a risk, Waitley said.
Atalie Bisel, Topeka senior, said she recently had become more aware of women's health issues and of breast cancer in particular. As part of her internship in community health, she has been involved in starting a breast cancer support group and has advertised breast cancer awareness. Bisel said it was important to educate people about the disease.
"It's scary to think that you can get this disease," Bisel said. "Just being a woman, you're at risk."
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November 19, 1996 The Hill
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