“Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer,” said DeMarias Wilkins, resident director of Hamlin Hall. “Every 14 minutes, a woman dies. This is a very deadly disease.” In an effort to promote awareness among the student body, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. hosted “Sigmas Waging War Against Cancer,” a national fundraising program for the American Cancer Society. The program, held in Hamlin Hall’s lobby, focused on prevention and early detection of various forms of cancer, primarily breast cancer.
“Almost 40,000 women will die from breast cancer,” Kenny Lee, senior general business major and second Vice President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. said. “Building an awareness and increasing knowledge is key in early detection of symptoms that lead to breast cancer.”
Jennifer Fuller, a health educator at the Longest Student Health Center, agreed.
“Unfortunately, most women aren’t familiar enough with their own body to realize red flags,” she said. “Programs, such as ‘Sigmas Waging Against Cancer,’ increase the conscious level of women and their families.”
During the program, students received American Cancer Society pamphlets with information on breast, lung, cervical and skin cancer. Regarding breast cancer, students learned that most women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease or other risk factors. They also learned that while breast cancer can occur at any age, it becomes more common as women get older. The pamphlets included information about routine check-ups and breast exams and urged women between the ages of 20-39 to perform monthly self breast exams and to have a clinical breast exam every three years.
Senior Dederick Daugherty, a business administration major and president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., said that it is the fraternity’s main goal to serve the community, not just the organization. He hopes the fraternity’s involvement in programs such as these create a domino effect of participation from other organizations.
“Greek and student organizations get more involved when they see others getting involved,” he said. “Students look to us for leadership and information. Offering information on subjects such as breast cancer eliminates dangerous myths they may develop.”
And decreasing myths is one objective the fraternity set out to accomplish. On its Web site, www.nbcam.org, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign posted several reasons that prevent early detection of breast cancer, including:
* Lack of insurance or financial resources to pay for mammograms and clinical breast examination.
* Believing that if you are over 65 you do not need a mammogram.
* Thinking that you are not at risk because breast cancer does not “run in your family.”
* Believing that the results of a mammogram will be breast cancer and avoiding the test.
“It is important for both men and women to be aware of breast cancer,” said Daugherty. “The women that are affected have husbands, families and friends who are affected. No one is protected from the grasp of cancer.”
Although the program did not cover testicular cancer, Fuller said it is something men should be aware of.
“It is during their college years that males are at high-risk for testicular cancer,” she said. “Just like in women, awareness is key for present detection and future prevention.”
After a discussion led by Wilkins, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., a sister sorority to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., students shared their concerns and experiences with cancer.
“This year, my uncle died of cancer,” sophomore broadcasting major LaQuanita Reid said. “I never expected it to hit so close to home. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It’s important to know what to look for.”
Audrey Johnson, a sophomore biomedical science major, agreed.
“After my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, I feared it was hereditary,” she said. “Before then, I wasn’t concerned about cancer. Now, I constantly seek more background information on all kinds of cancer.”
Peslie Perry, a graduate student and member of Zeta Phi Beta Inc., said she would share the background information provided at the program to her family and friends.
“My grandmother died of colon cancer,” she said. “So many people think that they won’t be affected by cancer. I try to use my experiences and any information to change that kind of thinking.”
A change of thought is what many of the fraternity members hoped students walked away with.
“After coming to this program, I hope students have learned more about cancer and how dangerous it can be,” Ralphelle Hubbard, a senior marketing major and first Vice President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., said. “It was our overall intention to share this information to help someone in the future.”
For more information visit Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. at www.pbs1914.org and American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Also, MSU will hold their own breast cancer awarness program tonight at 7 p.m. in Union Small Auditorium on the third floor.
The program is hosted by the Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Sigma Gamma Rho sororities. The guest speaker will be Jennifer Fuller, a health educator,