The USU honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month through its weekly Craft Corner where students were able to make bracelets and buttons to help raise awareness of the deadly disease that affects women and men across the world.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) there will be 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer cases diagnosed this year.
Breast cancer arises when a malignant tumor starts to form in the cells of the breast. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer.
Freshman Jennifer Sierra, 18, undeclared was one student in the a large group of people surrounding the craft table filled with markers, colored pencils, lettered beads and personalized buttons on Thursday.
“I found out about the craft corner through the CSUN webpage and I check out the events every week, what they do and their events and I stay up to date,” Sierra said.
Sierra said that while no one in her family has been a victim of breast cancer, she does know people that have suffered with the illness.
“I thought it was interesting. There are people who might suffer from this and we are trying to help them out,” Sierra said about CSUN students being involved in raising awareness.
The ACS is projecting that 39, 840 women will die of breast cancer in 2010.
According to the ACS, tests that are helpful in checking if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body include mammograms, chest x-rays, and CT scans.
USU Arts and Film coordinator Jessica Balfour, 24, said the USU chose buttons and bracelets as a way for students to display their breast cancer awareness.
“There’s a lot of pink ribbon stuff out there that cost money and kids are all on a budget,” said the marketing major. “Its just a cool way for students to make something on campus without having to spend any money.”
Balfour, a senior, said she thinks the buttons and bracelets will help raise awareness.
“I think just the act of wearing it would bring it into their mind and maybe they’ll look online, find some more awareness and get involved in other organizations such as the Susan G. Kolmen Foundation and Relay for Life,” Balfour said.
Balfour added the USU researched online for the event and that students should look to the American Cancer Society for information on all types of cancer.
Breast cancer death rates have been on the decline since 1990, especially in women under the age of 50, according to the ACS. The ACS state that this is due to earlier detection through screening, increased awareness and improved treatment of breast cancer.
Although there are many cases that will be diagnosed, the ACS reports there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S.
The ACS recommends women to lower their risk of breast cancer by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting their alcohol consumption.
Malcolm Jackson, 18, astrophysics major said he was sitting in the tables in the USU when he noticed a lot of people at the craft booth and saw the bracelets and buttons they were making.
The freshman said the craft corner is the first thing he has seen in the month of October that brought his attention to breast cancer awareness.
“I think its real good because we have to be aware of what’s going on and help in any way that we can,” Jackson said.
He added he believes the best way college students can help raise awareness would be to wear the buttons they made, speaking up and in general being involved with the cause.
