Alhambra Spreads Awareness for Breast Cancer
Katelyn Barreras
Staff Writer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women in the United States. However, it does not only occur for women, but also for men. According to the American Cancer Society, twelve percent of women are diagnosed with breast cancer and only one percent of men. Rest assured, breast cancer is highly treatable if found during its earlier stages.
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Eileen Kaiser: Why I Now Live by Y.O.L.O.
Nguyen Kim Tran
Staff Writer
Survivors are not always evident to us; they blend in plain sight and live like us. Eileen Kaiser, one of Alhambra High School’s Physical Education teachers, shares her experience with battling breast cancer and her advice for the student body. Students characterize Kaiser as an uplifting and enthusiastic person. Even on her days off, she will still wear a bright smile on her face. What they may not know is that behind her smile, there is a story to be told.
1) What was your experience with breast cancer?
Honestly, I was one of the lucky ones. It was caught early, but it was bad enough that [after the first time], they later found two types of dangerous cancers in my MRI scan. I had to get mastectomy and then a latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. My friends, my family [and] my sister especially were there for me. There was so much [of an] outpour of support that I never felt alone.
2) How did your battle with cancer affect the people around you?
The people around me are definitely more aware of their mortality. It’s scary how prevalent breast cancer is. I never thought that it would happen to me. My cancer has made them more conscious.
3) What advice would you give to other women or young girls?
I would say [to get] get regular checkups. Be diligent, especially if there’s a history in the family. Stay healthy and stay on the check ups.
4) How did breast cancer change your life?
I know the saying is cliche, but the term Y.O.L.O. applies to me every day. I think about it almost all the time. Don’t let cancer stop you from living; don’t let it tear you down.
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Walk on Over to These Fundraisers
Yi-Feng Ho
Staff Writer
Many organizations and charities throughout United States are planning events to get public involvement with victims of breast cancer throughout the month of October. These events are meant to raising money to help the victims of breast cancer, such as by developing cures and transporting them to and from the hospital, as well as raise awareness about breast cancer.
One of the events is the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, which focuses on having a team walking together as they share their experiences on breast cancer and build relationships with one another. The event lasts for three days and the walk is 60 miles in total. The event closest to us is in San Diego, and it is held from Nov. 18 to Nov. 20. There is also the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and it is held on Oct. 16 in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Another fundraising event is Making Strides by Making Stride Against Breast Cancer. Making Strides also focuses on walking, but the distance is shorter, lasting about three to five miles. This organization also allows cities to organize their own stride, which may shorten the distance between the people who want to participate in these events and the location of the event. A stride near us is the Making Strides in Los Angeles, which is on Oct. 15, and another one will be at the Santa Monica Pier on Oct. 22.
Some of these events are some distance away from us, so what about our school? The cheer team sold breast cancer awareness t-shirts for 10 dollars each. They also switched their bows from yellow to pink in order to raise awareness.
If you wish to support victims of breast cancer, you should find an event near you. It will be helpful to you and those who have breast cancer.
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Going Pink Since 1600 B.C.
Christian Nguyen
Staff Writer
Cancer has been around as long as humankind. According to Maurer Foundation, breast cancer dates all the way back to 1600 BC in ancient Egypt. Back then, our ancestors did not have the medicine we have today to help treat breast cancer. Today it is important that women are reminded of the signs for breast cancer to detect it at its early stages.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was created in 1985 as an effort between the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation, CancerCare, Inc. and multiple other sponsors. Today, it has grown a large amount to include national public service organizations, government agencies and professional medical associations that work together in the fight against breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organizations have promoted multiple educational events to tell women the importance of their breast health and to learn about breast cancer. $1.68 billion is made annually by breast cancer awareness organizations through charities and events such as walk-a-thons.
“Breast cancer awareness has destigmatized cancer in general — I am very grateful for that,” said James Olson, PhD, Regents Professor of History at Sam Houston State University, who is also a cancer survivor. Not only has BCAM made an impact on getting money to help those with breast cancer, it also has changed social attitudes about it. More people are encouraged to get screened, which means getting diagnosed and treated.
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Trivia!
Ellen Lei
Staff Writer
1) What is the name for an X-ray of the breast that is used to help detect cancer?
2) What are controllable breast cancer risk factors?
3) About how many breast cancer cases are there per year?
4) What is another name for breast cancer?
5) When was breast cancer first mentioned?
Answers:
(1) Mammogram
(2) cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, inactivity, eating an unhealthy diet
(3) Approximately 200,000
(4) Breast cancer is also called “nun’s disease” because of the high incidence of nuns affected by the cancer.
(5) In Egypt around 1600 B.C.