The pink bracelet on his wrist, and the pink ribbons and mammogram fliers he decorated his aunt’s nurse station with at Kaiser Permanente are all reminders for Jonathan de Vera of his mother, a breast cancer survivor.

A communicative disorder major, de Vera, 22, is one of many national supporters for breast cancer awareness month this October. The Health Education Student Association (HESA) at SF State held activities for students last Thursday.

“Most (people) do not become aware, or give breast cancer any attention until it directly affects them,” said de Vera, 22, a senior. “That’s what happened to me when I found out about my mom.”

Early detection is what saved de Vera’s mother’s life. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancerous cells that may invade other tissues in the body, which is why early detection can increase the likelihood of survival.

HESA promoted breast cancer awareness month by tabling at Malcolm X Plaza on Oct. 13. With about 50 people stopping by, they passed out flyers with information about breast cancer, a how-to-guide for self-breast examinations, and raffled off a pink candle.

An educational spin-the-wheel game for students to play was on display at the HESA table. Each time a student spun the wheel it landed on a different topic related to breast cancer. When the wheel stopped on deodorant HESA members explained that some deodorants have aluminum in them, a chemical that is connected to breast cancer.

“The more times we hear (about breast cancer) in different forms, the better,” said Vivian Chavez, assistant professor of the health education department and advisor for HESA. “The best thing about HESA is that they think about the community and how they can make a difference.”

The president of HESA has been directly affected by this disease.
“My grandma is a breast cancer survivor,” said Nicole Avalo, 22, health education major. “I only wear a little pink ribbon pin in October. It gets too commercialized (in the other months) and it loses its essence.”

The activities that promote breast cancer awareness are not limited to the SF State campus. The American Cancer Society (ASC) is holding a five-mile noncompetitive walk called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. It takes place in Golden Gate Park on Speedway Meadow on October 22 with a rolling start from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Last year about 15,000 participants got involved with this event and raised $1.4 million for breast cancer research funds, patient services, education, advocacy efforts and treatment.

“A lot of people come back each year with their friends and families,” said Jenesse Miller, media relations manager for the ASC San Francisco office. “It’s an emotional experience for those who have been personally impacted too. (The walk) is a time to reflect on those who have lost, and hope for those who are still fighting.”

Miller lost Karen Holly, a volunteer for the ASC two years ago to breast cancer, when the cancer spread to her lungs.

“It was very hard for me to deal with it,” said Miller. “She just had an amazing presence.

"She testified at the State’s Legislature (for a biomonitoring bill about testing breast milk for chemical contamination in bodies). I make donations in her memory.”

Breast cancer prevention is possible if women take care of themselves by performing a self-breast examination once a month. Women over 40 are advised to get mammograms annually, and women over 20 should perform the self-breast exam every month.

The death rate for breast cancer has declined about 2 percent each year since 1990, according to the American Cancer Society (ASC).
“(Women should examine their breasts) first by feeling for lumps and by looking in the mirror for changes such as puckered skin, or a change of color in the nipple,” said Dr. Mary Luckey, biochemistry professor at SF State.

Luckey said breast cancer is not only a woman’s disease. Men get breast cancer and about 1,500 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with it each year.

De Vera said being aware of the disease now is a start.
“Breast cancer isn’t something to fear and run away from,” said de Vera. “Those who are affected (by breast cancer) are forced
physically, mentally, and spiritually to know themselves.

"To acknowledge and face death with such strength is to learn how to really live.”