Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States, accounting for about 32 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers in women each year, according to BreastCancer.org.
Due to this high percentage of women who suffer from the illness, October has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remind people of the importance of spreading awareness and showing support. Although many students can feel detached from this illness, it can affect anyone and learning how to increase awareness efforts can help those impacted. This year, it’s estimated that there will be 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 59,080 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer among women in the U.S. (BreastCancer.org).
According to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), “Marin County, California, has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world.” (University of California San Francisco) Due to these high numbers, routine checks and mammograms, low-dose X-rays used to detect early signs of breast cancer or other abnormalities, are highly recommended to avoid delayed diagnosis even when signs aren’t evident.
Aidan Mccann, a Redwood parent, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 47, despite showing no signs of having the illness.
“One thing that I’d want [students] to walk away with is to stay vigilant on screening and be aware of how pervasive [breast cancer] is,” Mccann said. “I never felt a lump until the mammogram caught it.”
Mccann first encountered the disease as a patient and later as a caregiver to her mom and sister, who were diagnosed after her. Facing the disease herself has given her a unique perspective when it comes to caring for the people closest to her.
“When you’re diagnosed with [breast cancer] yourself, you get this rush of adrenaline where you have to go take care of it and make sure that you’re okay,” Mccann said. “When it starts happening to your loved ones, it’s a similar sense of adrenaline, but it’s a different sense of concern for that other person where you start reflecting back on yourself.”
Students can raise awareness and show their support by participating in events, volunteering and donating to local organizations. Once people know where and how they can help, getting involved becomes simpler and more meaningful.
Around Redwood, students can make a difference by raising awareness both on and off campus. Redwood sports teams have shown support by incorporating the color pink into their uniform attire, like pink pom-poms in cheer; and on Oct. 11, the girls’ varsity flag football team participated in a Breast Cancer Awareness showcase hosted by Alameda High School.
One local organization making an impact is Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS), a nonprofit established in 2003. The organization offers a supportive community for young individuals diagnosed with breast cancer or survivors. Recently, BAYS, along with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, opened San Francisco’s first memorial garden on Arguello Boulevard and Conservatory Drive in Golden Gate Park. The memorial is a place to gather, celebrate life and honor the young patients who have passed due to breast cancer.
BAYS director Jenna Nicoletti Williams is a breast cancer survivor herself, and was diagnosed at age 38.
“[BAYS] started with young individuals that had been going to a cancer support group within their hospital setting [but] they didn’t feel like there was proper support for young cancer patients,” Williams said.
Over time, BAYS has grown into the organization it is today, providing vital resources to many women, helping them navigate their way through their own breast cancer journey and emphasizing the importance of awareness among young people.
“Awareness is so critical, especially for younger people, because it’s no longer your grandma’s disease. These young, healthy, vibrant people are getting cancer,” Williams said.
When Williams was diagnosed at such a young age, it affected the way she went about her daily life, making her grateful for all the support she was given.
“Everybody’s journey looks really different and everybody needs different kinds of support. It’s so important for people to ask you what you need,” Williams said.
Students can support loved ones simply by paying attention to what they truly need. By specializing their care to what loved ones need, students can make the recovery process easier.
UCSF Health Clinic doctor Sally E. Boero specializes in gynecology and obstetrics at the Marin Health Clinic. What makes Boero’s experience with breast cancer unique is that she has experienced both sides. She has been both a patient and a doctor for many women, supporting them through their cancer journey.
“Remind people who are eligible, particularly those who have a family history [with Breast Cancer], to get their screening. And to know what’s normal for your body and to report things that are changing or different,” Boero says.
Many women are uncertain about breast cancer fatality rates, which often leads to common misconceptions. According to The American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 91 percent. Boero notes that misunderstandings are common when women are first diagnosed.
“A lot of people sort of see [breast cancer] as a death sentence, and think it’s super worrisome, but it’s really treatable for most women. The chances that somebody who’s doing routine surveillance and screening would die from breast cancer are pretty low,” Boero said.
From patients to caregivers to doctors, the same message is clear: the importance of early detection through consistent health screenings. Everyone can be affected by breast cancer, whether directly connected or not. The importance of spreading awareness and showing support shouldn’t be constrained to just one month.
