Photo courtesy of Anjelicia Bruton
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Florida A&M University has a full agenda planned to bring students together to learn the importance of what it means to think pink.
According to BreastCancer.Org, “About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.”
FAMU’s Coleman Library has placed white boards in the library for students to write the names of those who have passed due to breast cancer.
Starting off with only two blank posters, over a course of a few days the library is now up to five white posters which are filling up fast.
The library encourages students to stop by and write names of their loved ones, or any positive comments.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month shares a special place in the hearts of many employees in the library. In 2012, Eva Rodgers-Cary, who was a senior library technicial assistant for 19 years, passed after battling breast cancer.
Carla Thomas, who worked closely with Rodgers-Cary said, “She was always up beat and fun to be around.”
Noticing her condition worsening, employees assisted her with work. They brought her books so she could process them.
FAMU’s Student Government Association is also remembering those who have passed by reserving the last week of October to show awareness to breast cancer that is taking lives of many women without a cure. Events will be from Oct. 25-31.
On Oct. 31, FAMU SGA will be hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Bruncheon at 11 a.m. and all proceeds will be going to the American Cancer Society. Tickets will be available at the Al Lawson Center.
Dajuh Sawyer, a sophomore senator, said that this is a way to publicize awareness and bring positivity to the university. She said that “the time is now” for women in college to learn about their options and steps they should be taking.
“FAMU Goes Pink is a way to get the information out to the students,” Sawyer said.
Women should be aware of the risk factors and know that breast cancer could appear regardless of the age.
To increase the likelihood of surviving breast cancer you can take a mammogram test to detect the disease in its early stages.
Photo courtesy of Anjelicia Bruton
FAMU Student Health Services offers free mammogram testing for students on Oct. 27 and 29 from 7-9 p.m.
Caroline Bolton, a cancer information specialist at American Cancer Society, explained why it is important to have a mammogram test done.
“Regular Mammograms can often help catch breast cancer in an early stage.In a mammoogram, you can find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop,” Bolton said.
Bolton also pointed out that a new breast cancer screening guideline recommendation stated that there are no benefits to doing a self check, but women should be familiar with what is normal for how their breast look and feel.
For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 850-297-0588. Also, to stay up to date with the upcoming events for Student Government “FAMU WEARS PINK FOR BREAST CANCER” follow @FAMU_SGA87 on instagram.