Here it is: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s not something I particularly look forward to every year, but, nevertheless, it’s here. I wish we didn’t have to have such a month. I wish breast cancer, and every other kind of cancer, didn’t even exist. But, since they do, the next best option is to embrace this month and the chance to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Cancer has been a part of my life for longer than I can remember. When I was 2 years old, my grandfather passed away from cancer. Growing up, the parents of two of my friends were fighting cancer, breast cancer in particular. The summer before my sophomore year of high school, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly after he finished treatment, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It seems nearly impossible that within a year’s time, both my parents could have cancer, but it happened. And they both got through it. Now, more than five years later, they are both still cancer free. However, in that five years, both of my friends’ parents lost their fight. One of those women had become a close friend of mine, always talking with me about my mom and encouraging us along the way. I’ll never forget the day I found out she lost her life, and I’ll always have the pink ribbon I got at her funeral. Also in those five years, two more women close to my family were diagnosed with breast cancer. Like my mom, both of them won their fight. Just a few weeks ago, the father of a friend from high school passed away from cancer. And, two weeks ago today, our own Intrigue editor, Kendra Carter, left The Plainsman and Auburn for the semester to go home and fight thyroid cancer. (Kendra, I miss you and I hope you are doing well. I can’t wait to see you back in Auburn.)
The point of all of this is not that I know a lot of people with cancer. It’s that cancer is real, and it can affect the people closest to us. But, if caught early, cancer doesn’t have to be a life-ending disease. I will be the first to admit, cancer is my biggest fear. But, I also know that early detection is the key to survival. I encourage everyone to visit a doctor regularly and pay attention to your health. And, if cancer strikes, hopefully it will be detected early.
To all the amazing women who shared their stories of survival with me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cancer is often times a difficult subject to talk about, and I’m glad you have helped me raise awareness on campus. This week’s paper on breast cancer awareness is something I have been looking forward to for several months, and it wouldn’t have been possible without you.
