By: Mikenna Gaukel, News Reporter, Roger Thomas, Assistant News Producer, Emily Sudderth, Videographer

MOUNT BERRY, Ga. — According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer in women, behind skin cancer, with about one in three of all female cancers being breast cancer. This disease occurs primarily in middle-aged to older women, but can affect anyone of any age.

Despite popular belief, breast cancer can plague men as well as women. While it is much rarer, the symptoms and risk factors are similar. Some typical symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or swelling in the breast, redness or flaky skin on the breast, and nipple discharge. Unless treated, the cancer can lead to death.

The severity of the disease alters families all over the world. Freshman Grace Bell talked about how breast cancer impacted her family.

“My aunt had breast cancer,” Bell said. “She passed a few years ago but she had it for a while.”

While there has been a push to create more awareness for breast cancer with Breast Cancer Awareness Month being October, many people still felt as though there is not enough information being spread about it.

Caroline Pass, a Freshman at Berry College, explained her viewpoint on the state of breast cancer awareness.

“I think there is a lot of awareness about it but there’s not as much information out there,” Pass said. “We can say we’re supporting it and there’s a lot of awareness but do we really know what’s happening and do we really know what it is.”

There are a limited number of ways to treat breast cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Even though the cancer can be cured, the disease permanently takes its toll on those who have suffered from it.

Freshman Ella Daniell spoke about how she wishes that more could be done for cancer patients.

“It is very researched,” Daniell said. “But there are just not a lot of ways to help.”

Breast cancer is a growing epidemic. If you want to learn more, check out the resources down below.

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer