In this month’s segment of Monthly Highlight, we are focusing on Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is recognized in October. To better understand Breast Cancer and its pertains to Woodlands, I interviewed the Woodlands health teachers Ms. Briesch and Mrs. Ohlwein. They both commented on why students should be aware or hyper-alert to breast cancer and the steps we should take to stay on top of it. Ms. Breisch commented that 1:8 women right now are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime. In past years women were expected to start testing at age 50, but that has increased to 40. At the latest, when you turn 40, you should be tested once a year. Since there is already a shift from being tested at 50 to now, 40 people may have a projected diagnosis earlier. Mrs. Ohlwein added that If Breast Cancer runs in your family, you should not wait until 40 to be tested. You can go to a doctor and get checked, or conduct your self-exam and get advice on how frequently you should be tested, especially if you are diagnosed with the gene that may be diagnosed. As a student body, we are adults or about to be adults, and it is our responsibility to be knowledgeable about Breast Cancer.

Here are some resources for further information: https://www.breastcancer.org 

Self Exam: https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam