Imagine that big day when all your hard work pays off. You’ve accomplished your dreams. All your tests, papers and midterms finally grant you that degree you’ve worked so hard for. You feel like you can breathe now, you did it. You are at your Zen, life is good. Then suddenly one day you faint. When you wake up you are in a hospital bed with tubes in your arm. You see a chubby nurse fluffing the pillow on the bed next to yours. You realize after a few questions that you are in the cancer unit suffering from breast cancer. Suddenly that degree you earned has lost all its significance and your only goal is survival.
Yvette Rodriguez, 42, Ybor Campus Legal major said, “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 22 yrs old, I was in denial and shock after my doctor told me I had it”.
Breast cancer is the second cause of death among American women. Around 40,170 deaths were caused by breast cancer in 2009. The American Cancer Society reports the chances of dying from breast cancer is 1 in 35. According to the A.C.S., the cancer death rates are decreasing. The A.C.S. says this is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier.
“I beat cancer twice," says Rodriguez. "I have a history of breast cancer in my family and so I always went for my annual checkups. I was lucky they were able to catch it in time so I didn’t have to get a mastectomy.”
According to the Center for Disease Control the best method of beating breast cancer is early detection. Conducting self breast examinations, getting annual checkups and mammograms can lead to early detection as well as prevention.
“It is very important that all women get checked as early as possible. Be proactive; go to a doctor willing to listen to you. Don’t allow them to say you’re too young for a mammogram, “said Rodriguez.
Natasha Lewis, business management major at Dale Mabry campus said, “My aunt is a breast cancer survivor, when I found out that my aunt had breast cancer I was devastated.”
Fear of getting a deadly disease like breast cancer is a major fear for many Americans. Checking your breast is an effective method of prevention.
“My aunt wasn’t checking hers”, said Lewis. “I now check my breast for lumps every month and I taught my 13 year old daughter how to check hers.”
Men can also get breast cancer. 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Around 450 of those cases result in death according from the C.D.C.
Marcus Brown, athletic training major at Dale Mabry campus said, “I am aware that men can get breast cancer and I check my breast for lumps all the time.”
As the old saying goes it is better to be safe than sorry. Time shouldn’t stand in the way of anyone’s health. The numbers don't lie. Many people are less fortunate due to lack of awareness on breast cancer. Save yours and someone else's breast. Spread the word and check yours monthly.
“Your health is more important than anything. What good is a degree if you don’t have good health?” said Lewis.
“I realize now that I may not have tomorrow. I try to do everything I can today. I live for today,” said Rodriguez.
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