Elizabethtown College did their part in spreading awareness for breast cancer at the Pink Drink Demo in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being on Thursday. October is the month for Breast Cancer Awareness. This beautiful event by Assistant Director of Health Promotion Joni Eisenhauer and Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG) provided signs for early detection of breast cancer and other resources.
Starbucks Coffee has a popular menu item called the Pink Drink. It consists of a normal Strawberry Açai Refresher but asking for coconut milk instead of water makes it pink! SWAG made some new and fun versions of Pink Drinks in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The delicious options were Watermelon Spritzer and Berry Lime Cooler.
The table at the Pink Drink Demo had flyers with information from Feel Your Boobies (FYB). There were also pink hair ties, breast cancer stickers and even bracelets to raise awareness. This table accompanied the Pink Drink station that had recipes to recreate the drinks.
Students got to try new Pink Drinks and learn more about detecting breast cancer. “It’s really nice that we were able to put something together on campus to spread awareness,” SWAG member Riley Moore said.
FYB is a campaign that targets college students for preventative care. FYB suggests doing self examinations at least once a month. The best way to discover an abnormality in the breasts is by pressing firmly with the pads of your fingers in the collarbone and underarm area. According to FYB, some symptoms of breast cancer include lumps, thickening, puckering, inflammation or discharge from the nipples. This campaign suggests that “feeling your boobies” can even be as accurate as a formal exam.
Eisenhauer thinks it is extremely important to know the signs early. “Breast cancer affects individuals of all ages and I think there needs to be more awareness to younger age groups,” Eisenhauer said. “It’s important to start now in learning your body, what’s comfortable for you and when something may be wrong.” Her mother is also a breast cancer survivor.
Eisanhauer also said that mammograms are not covered by insurance for individuals under 40 unless they find something wrong. Professionals recommend getting a yearly mammogram starting at age 40, even though there is still a risk for breast cancer many years younger. There is not much preventative care available for breast cancer unless the patient is over 40. Insurance only covers mammograms if there is an irregular lump or pain in the breasts, which is why FYB encourages college students to do self exams.
On Saturday Oct. 15, the 22nd annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer was held in Harrisburg, Pa. This is a noncompetitive 5k fundraising walk in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and attracts up to 8,000 survivors each year. The funds from the walk help fund groundbreaking research for breast cancer treatment. Funds may even help patient services and promote prevention and early detection educational programs.
To learn more about the signs of early breast cancer or to make a donation to FYB, visit Www.FeelYourBoobies.com.
