Renee Rosenow

Two years ago, I watched one of the most important people in my life go from cancer diagnosis to death in five days. There was no hope and there was nothing I could do.

Despite the helplessness, one question truly bothered me. Whatever happened to early detection? Without early detection, there is no opportunity to fight the disease. Without the fight, there is no chance for survival. Awareness is key.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is devoted to building knowledge of the most common killer among women besides skin cancer in the United States, according to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Web site.

New statistics from the National Cancer Institute show that there are 182,460 new cases of breast cancer for women this year and of that number, 40,480 cases will result in death.

However, breast cancer isn’t just a disease that belongs to women, either. Despite its rarity, it affects men as well.

There will be 1,190 new cases for men and 450 of those cases will result in death. Statistics from a year ago show that the number of cases and deaths have increased for women and stay relatively the same for men.

I do not know the circumstances behind the new cases or deaths, but breast cancer is a disease that can be prevented and treated if caught early. While early prevention and awareness are increasing at a steady rate, I think it is past the time for cases to decrease. Perhaps those deaths could’ve been prevented. There has to be something we can do.

Unfortunately, this is where I am partially incorrect. No one can control the disease. The cure still hovers just out of reach. And the number of cases cannot be forced to go down overnight. The list goes on and on, and with it comes the helplessness. One thing I truly cannot stand.

Fortunately, we are able to control two things – the power of awareness and the ability to fight. Those two things manipulate the situation in our favor.

Breast cancer could happen to anyone, whether a person is good or bad, hardworking or lazy, rich or poor. It doesn’t discriminate anyone based upon race, age or even gender. It may even be part of chemical makeup. It could happen to you or me.

However, as I mentioned earlier, awareness is the key to whatever power we hold over the disease.

First of all, early preventative measures end up saving lives. From self-exams to mammograms, there are a variety of tests available to be aware of the risk of cancer to having the actual disease. And, the earlier this disease is diagnosed, the better. Early awareness leads to early fighting, which can never be too soon because that leads to hope.

Also, taking care of ourselves isn’t enough. While the general public obviously knows what breast cancer is and a majority has firsthand experience with the disease, that isn’t enough. Whether wearing a pink ribbon pin, sporting a shirt like those sold last semester on campus in support of a cure or raising money for the cause, we could all afford to step it up a little.

If none of that appeals to you, my one plea is this – please, don’t pretend it couldn’t happen to you.

Once upon a time, I did, and the explosive blast of reality opened my eyes to the fact that we are not indestructible. To be completely honest, I’d still like to pretend that breast cancer or any cancer could never touch me. But that would be an unintelligent move on my part, and experience has taught me that.

I’d rather confront the issue now than deal with what might have been or what I could have done sooner. I would welcome the opportunity to fight rather than stick my head in the sand now. And I’m sure that I’m not the only one. Fear should never hinder the fight against breast cancer. And that gives something that the illness will never touch – hope.

We all know someone who has been touched by this disease, whether that person is newly diagnosed, a survivor – or even the one who lost the battle.

You don’t have to be or know one of these people to raise knowledge and fight.

Face the reality. Breast cancer awareness shouldn’t be confined to one month, but extended throughout the entire year. Even though cancer occasionally goes into remission, we as fighters for the cause should never do that.

Schossow is a sophomore print journalism major and Money/Health editor of The Spectator.