One out of eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society, which is why Breast Cancer Awareness is important for women’s health.
When Linda Gail Wirtz, a registered nurse at Providence Memorial Hospital, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she could hardly believe it.
After being diagnosed on her very first mammogram, Wirtz underwent surgery to remove all of the cancer cells. She was only given three years to live. Nine years later, she still remembers going through chemotherapy and all the complications.
Wirtz’s cancer cells spread to her lungs, bones, liver and pancreas. A very weak Wirtz said she found strength in her family and God.
“I’m a person of great faith,” said Wirtz. “Faith is so important.”
Though the disease affected her life heavily, she never gave up.
“I just look at my kids,” replied Wirtz who has two sons and a daughter, when asked what motivated her.
Because of heroic stories like this one, as well as the
ambition to raise awareness, October is made National Breast
Cancer Awareness Month.
It is a nationwide campaign about the importance of the early detection of breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, it was first started as a weeklong campaign in 1985.
Methods to support breast cancer awareness include buying and wearing a pink ribbon, attending fundraising activities, such as the Walk-A-Thon, and buying products that donate part of the profit to breast cancer research.
On Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., EPCC is scheduled to have breast cancer survivors speak and the EPCC guitar club to perform.
According to EPCC’s Campus Life, there will be free refreshments and snacks and all women are encouraged to wear pink that day, as well as to donate five dollars to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.
“Don’t stress over the little stuff. If money can fix it, then you do not have a problem,” Wirtz said, after her cancer returned.
“Value little things more,” she said.
In addition to that, she said that the importance of raising awareness for breast cancer is to gain knowledge.
“Knowlegde prepares you,” Wirtz said, “It makes you strong.”
Although breast cancer isn’t common among young woman, there are cases of girls as young as 14 being diagnosed with cancer, according to Wirtz.
She said ways to decrease a woman’s chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer include a healthy diet with less fat intake and exercise.
Another helpful tip is preventing oneself to being 30 pounds overweight, as it increases the chances of contracting cancer.
While it is not always preventable, Wirtz’s advice to newly diagnosed patients is to not worry so much.
It is very important to have encouraging people beside you.
“Doctors are here to help you. And trust the word of God,” she advised.
According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the awareness campaign hopes to encourage women to have a mammogram regularly, in order to catch cancer in its early stages.
