Invasive breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, causing the deaths of 670,000 people annually. The Bay Area has a breast cancer rate that accounts for approximately a third of all invasive cancers diagnosed annually in the Greater Bay Area and the state. To solve this issue, students all across the world should be more educated on preventative methods for cancer.
Throughout the 1990s, the number of white women in Marin County diagnosed with breast cancer was raised by 60 percent, compared to the rest of the Bay Area with a five percent increase. After a study conducted in 2002, the culprit was found to be Provera, a medicine used for hormone replacement therapy.
While some risk factors for breast cancer cannot be controlled, both students and adults should still be aware of steps they can take to reduce risk. For example, only 67.5 percent of women aged 40 and over have gotten a mammogram, an x-ray used to detect breast cancer, in the past two years. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends that women aged 40 and over should get a mammogram annually.
Additionally, many people are unaware of harmful chemicals that can be found in everyday environments. The National Toxicology Program states that there are 76 substances that are associated with breast cancer, such as coatings, chemical industrial (chemicals from factories) food additives, and pesticides. These toxins impact risk for breast cancer, but they impact underserved communities on an even deeper level. According to the American Lung Association, people of color are more likely to live in counties with higher levels of pollution. Other risk factors tend to include limited access to grocery stores, dirtier workplaces, and existing health conditions, behaviors, or traits that may predispose some groups to greater risk. Overall, these environments lead marginalized and poorer communities to be at high risk for breast cancer and various other diseases.
Through improvement of required health classes, students can learn about various risk factors for cancer, such as drug use, taking hormones, and food and lifestyle choices. It is crucial to spread awareness of the importance of health education through social media, advocating for new education policies, working with nonprofits, and more. This way, no matter what age, everyone is aware of the simple changes they can implement to limit the spread of this deadly disease.
While researchers continue to investigate lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to breast cancer, society needs to take action on this urgent issue. Increased awareness and improved access to screenings can help communities around the U.S. and lead the world to become a healthier place.