Inside October 19, 2004's Issue

Bartow construction going as planned

Georgia Highlands College will use $12,900 grant to promote drug and alcohol education

International fair works to expand cultural awareness

FC hires first ever full-time music and philosophy professors

Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings advice from breast cancer survivor

By David Winters
[email protected]
Staff Writer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month was first recognized 19 years ago in October 1985.

Breast cancer is a growth of malignant cells in the breast. Though the cause of breast cancer is unknown, there are many risk factors.

Dr. Alberta Johnson, professor of psychology, is a breast cancer survivor. �It was the most devastating news in my life,� said Johnson. �I was diagnosed with stage four and it was considered terminal. I was told later that if I had not done the radiation treatments, I would have died within three months.�

Johnson was diagnosed in 1991. Her cancer is now in remission.

Though breast cancer is more prominent in women, the disease does not discriminate against men.

According to the Breast Health Resource Online, www.imaginis.com, male breast cancer accounts for approximately 1.0 percent of all breast cancer cases.

In the year 2000, the American Cancer Society estimated that 1,400 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in men. Approximately 400 of these men died from breast cancer.

Johnson suggests that everyone �do breast self-exams, stay healthy and exercise.� She openly speaks about her experience and is willing to use her experiences to help other people deal with cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, �Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.� If detected early, the chances of surviving cancer may be greater.

Doctors and scientists worldwide are trying to cure all types of cancer. People can help this cause by donating to cancer research organizations, such as the American Cancer Society.

For more information about breast cancer please visit www.breastcancer.org, www.cancer.org, www.imaginis.com or consult your local doctor.

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