Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, with one in eight women and one in 1,000 men being diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.
For the month of October, the National Breast Cancer Foundation has made an annual campaign to increase the awareness of this disease. For SLCC, the Center for Health and Counseling offers services for both early detection and education about breast cancer.
Check for Early Signs
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, “When breast cancer is detected early, and in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%.”
Early detection can come in the form of self-exams, as well as scheduling routine clinical breast exams and mammograms with a medical professional.
SLCC Clinic Services
The Center for Heath and Counseling at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus offers early detection services to students, as well as breast cancer education resources. For students, each visit is only $15, and as a part of that visit, a nurse practitioner will educate students on the potential risk factors and how to complete self-examination.
According to Terri Mehlhoff, clinic manager at the Center for Health and Counseling, the center has also partnered with the Utah Department of Health to offer free cancer screenings, such as pap tests, clinical breast exams, and mammograms to students who qualify. Eligibility will be determined through scheduling a women’s wellness exam to talk with a Nurse Practitioner.
For more information or questions on how to make an appointment, contact the Center for Health and Counseling.
Weekly Information
SLCC’s Health Promotion Office provides health education on a weekly basis as a part of Wellness Wednesday, a weekly program where the Center for Health and Counseling educates SLCC’s students on various health topics. Examples of Wellness Wednesday topics include sexual and reproductive health.
Tips
Jessica Pettersson, health promotion manager at the Center for Health and Counseling, has a few tips on breast cancer prevention, which include:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Check your family records for a potential history of breast cancer.
- Don’t be shy at the doctor’s office – be sure to ask questions about anything that seems unclear and follow up.
- Drink in moderation – excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
- Assess your risk – it always helps to be informed and know all the risks of breast cancer, even ones that cannot always be avoided.
It is important to be observant about the risk of breast cancer. There are many resources like SLCC’s Center for Health and Counseling, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute, that can provide a variety of information, research, and ways to get involved in breast cancer related initiatives.
