To many college women, breast cancer may seem like something they do not need to worry about. Third-year College student Jennifer Abastillas, however, believes young women should be aware of the disease.
Breast cancer "is an issue, even as young as we are," Abastillas said.
Abastillas has seen the effects of breast cancer first-hand. Her mother was diagnosed and treated for the disease when Abastillas was 13, and last year her aunt died of breast cancer.
Abastillas became involved with the national group Rock for a Cure the summer after her senior year in high school.
"Rock for a Cure is a nonprofit organization created to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer and increase the involvement of young adults in the issue through music-related events and activities," said Linda Oeding, Rock for a Cure president and founder.
The organization's goal is to increase young adult involvement with breast cancer.
"It is important to get young adults involved in the issue because they care," Oeding said.
October is breast cancer awareness month, and Abastillas is working with Rock for a Cure and the University chapter of the National Organization for Women to present the Rock for a Cure Campus Awareness Program.
Next Tuesday, Oct. 26, there will be an information table on the Lawn distributing literature on breast cancer. Then Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 6:00 p.m. in Cabell Hall Room 324, Karin Coifman of the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education will present "Breast Cancer and Young Women."
The final aspect of the program is the purchase of an instructional, self-breast-exam kit that can be checked out by University students free of charge. The kit consists of a video and model designed to teach women how to perform a self-exam.
"The main goal is to get people aware of the issue," Abastillas said.
Two years ago, Abastillas helped present a similar program with Charlottesville resident Mary Huff as a speaker. Huff was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36.
"I was really afraid of losing my life; losing a breast was not nearly as frightening as that I might not be able to see my kids finish kindergarten," Huff said.
As a breast cancer survivor and member of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, Huff tries to convey the importance of performing breast self-exams.
"Every woman starting at the age of 20 should perform a self-exam once a month," Huff said.
Oeding also said she feels beginning breast self-exams early is important.
"It is important to get into the habit of doing them at a young age so it becomes routine," she said.
"A lot of people think that young women can't get breast cancer," Huff said. There is a 1 in 20,000 risk at about age 20, which rises to 1 in 600 for the late 20s to 30, and is 1 in 8 for a lifetime, she said.
Breast self-exams are one of several things women can do to decrease their risk of breast cancer, Oeding said.
She said other ways to reduce risk include exercise, being familiar with your own body, eating a low-fat diet with increased fruits and vegetables and decreasing alcohol intake.
Huff stresses that if you believe you have a lump in your breast and a doctor does not confirm your suspicions, you should get a second opinion.
"The biggest cash [amount] malpractice insurance makes is for delayed diagnosis of breast cancer," she said.
As a result, it is especially important for women to be aware of breast cancer.
"You need to take control of your own health care," Oeding said.
The campus awareness program, which is being presented at the University and other colleges including Syracuse University, the University of Washington and the University of Georgia, is only one method Rock for a Cure uses to teach young women about breast cancer.
The organization has a tour program that is involved in tabling at concerts and has received support from artists such as Pearl Jam, No Doubt, Ani DiFranco, Patti Smith, Jewel and Jill Sobule, Oeding said.
Rock for a Cure also is working currently to produce a benefit CD to come out in the spring of 2000. The CD will feature female alternative artists, including Sleater-Kinney, Mary Ann Farley, Sarge, Scratching Post, The Friggs, Chainsuck, Moxie, Julie Plug, Discount, Angelique, Vice Squad, The Wives and Lauren Hoffman. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to support the research of University of Arkansas Prof. Dr. Steven Harms, who is developing a laser procedure to destroy breast tumors without using traditional surgery.
Rock for a Cure is one of many organizations promoting the awareness of breast cancer.
On a national level, activist efforts have been crucial in increasing breast cancer awareness.
Federal funding for breast cancer research has increased from 89 million in 1989 to 512 million in 1997, Huff said.
"This can all be directly attributed to activists," she said.
For Abastillas, being involved with Rock for a Cure has provided her an opportunity for positive effects to come from her family's struggles with breast cancer.
"Educating others has helped me feel better about the loss of my aunt and the suffering of my mother. In that way it's all good," she said.
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