Zeta Breast Cancer Event Provides Prevention Tips
Photo Courtesy of Rebecca LiVigni.
Many women partake in breast cancer screenings as a form of early detection. The American Cancer Society recommends women between ages 40 and 54 receive mammograms annually and women above this age range be screened every other year. However, the ACS also justifies the benefits of performing self-examinations—even for those under 40 years old.
Caroline Wall, though in her early twenties, performs self-examinations because breast cancer runs in her family. As the VP of Philanthropy of SLU’s Zeta chapter, Wall held a breast cancer awareness and prevention workshop in Morrissey Hall on April 24 to inform students on how early detection allows for easier treatment plans. Both Wall’s mother and aunt detected their own lumps in stages 0 and 1, respectively, and underwent less extensive treatment.
Referencing the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Foundation, Wall said that “one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life and also one in every one thousand men. Those who are related to someone who has had breast cancer are more likely to develop it, such as myself.”
She further explained that one’s predisposition to the development of breast cancer can be caused by the BRCA gene, an inherited mutation that increases the risk of one developing either breast or ovarian cancer. Other than the gene, lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, contribute to one’s risk.
As part of the workshop, Wall showed several videos on how to correctly perform a self-examination. When assessing for irregularities, one should initially analyze the size of the breasts and unusual dimpling, redness or swelling. Then, lumps should be carefully felt for.
“I wanted to hold this event because I feel like a lot of people don’t have the education to do these super easy things that they can start now, especially when they are approaching an age of risk,” Wall said. “I wanted to relay that information, especially since we have an amazing philanthropy, which is breast cancer awareness and education, that we can do something with and raise money for.”
For more information on breast cancer self-examinations and to learn more about Zeta’s philanthropy, visit the Zeta Tau Alpha philanthropy page at zetataualpha.org/foundation/philanthropy.
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Staunch entered SLU as a Biomedical Engineering major on a Pre-med track, with the intention of continuing her studies in medical school. After a year and a half at SLU, she realized she missed the balance of the arts with sciences as she was previously an editor in her high school yearbook committee.
"Working for UNews, whether it was as Associate News Editor, Managing Editor, or Editor-in-Chief, has taught me the value of working on tight deadlines and how to adequately adapt to certain unexpected situations. The field of Journalism is incredibly fast paced - but that is why I love it so much," Staunch said. "There is always something new occurring, and you would not be able to effectively complete your job unless you had the support of your other editors and staff."
Though paradoxical in nature, she switched her major to Communication. She wants to incorporate both her analytical and creative sides to report on medical topics. Her dream job: to write for Discover Magazine.
When Staunch is not in the newsroom, she is captaining the women’s Ultimate Frisbee team at SLU. She began playing her freshman year and enjoys it as an outlet.