In the notorious month of October at Bishop O’Dowd, there is much to look forward to. Between fall sports, spirit week, the homecoming dance, and Halloween, there are numerous activities for students to anticipate. However, hidden beneath the exciting events that fill the month of October is a crucial holiday that is often overlooked by the American public: Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of a breast. Effects of this disease may include changes in body type, loss of hair, loss of fertility, severe mood swings, and an increase in the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body such as the brain, liver, or lungs. The three main treatment options are therapy, surgery, and medication. However, in the United States, treatment can cost up to $200,000, while the average inhabitant of the United States only makes $63,00. With inflation increasing in our country, healthcare is one of the most expensive but necessary services a person needs, especially if suffering from a common fatal disease such as breast cancer.
There are currently a whooping 4 million survivors of breast cancer in the United States. Most people do not realize how relevant this issue is in our society because of the many other types of cancer that more prominent reputations. Studies from Lillie D. Schockney from the National Breast Cancer Foundation find that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime and in this year alone, 310,270 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive Breast Cancer. Furthermore, an estimated 42,250 women will die from the disease by the end of this year. Finally, on average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in our country. So with a sickness as pervasive and prominent within the lives of American women, why do so many people not know about the disease’s impacts?
Peyton Kwok ‘26, a current student at Bishop O’Dowd shares her knowledge around the subject, explaining, “ All I really know is that it’s a cancer involving one’s breast and you can treat it by removing it through surgery. I am not informed about symptoms, more treatment options, and how someone can prevent the disease. I definitely think I don’t know enough and we could do better to raise awareness as a community. It would be helpful to discuss the topic of Breast Cancer in science or health classes since it’s such an important topic that people should be more educated on.”
However, one of the ways Bishop O’Dowd stands in solidarity with victims of Breast Cancer is wearing the pink ribbon, and pink colors for different sporting events, specifically football and cheer. Perry Kissam ‘26, captain of the Varsity Cheer Team, describes how her team brings awareness to the situation, commenting “The visible use of pink on our face paint, pom-poms, and accessories during games serves as a public display of solidarity with breast cancer survivors and those battling the illness. While I think giving this issue a platform to be seen through sports is really amazing, I would love to be able to start a money drive for low-income breast cancer patients or women struggling to pay their medical bills. Possibly even organizing charity events like bake sales, car washes, or fitness challenges, with proceeds going to breast cancer research organizations. Our enthusiastic energy could be great for attracting attention and engaging the community, especially at our school which already has so much parental support and engagement.”
All in all, while it’s important to have fun during the many events during October, it’s also just as important to recognize those who are struggling in our country, or even community, each day. There are many ways to educate yourself on current struggles and diseases such as Breast Cancer, such as researching ways to donate, learning about people’s experience, or even reaching out to those who may be struggling. Participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great way to show your empathy and build dialogue within our local culture.
