A new group looks to raise awareness about breast cancer

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but a new group on campus is looking to spread awareness all year long.

Troy University’s Breast Cancer Awareness Society founder Katherine Harrison has a personal connection to breast cancer.

“My Nana is a two time breast cancer survivor,” Harrison said. “She recently had it again this past September, and my mom also had it this past September so going through it at the same time really just drove me to make the Breast Cancer Awareness Society just to bring awareness to women and men on Troy’s campus, because it is something that women and men face every single day for a long period of their life.”

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer. While rare, men can also be diagnosed with the disease. For one member of the new group, a family member’s diagnosis inspired him to join the group.

“Currently my grandfather Lewis he’s actually affected by it,” said Vice President of the Troy Breast Cancer Awareness Society, Myles Wilson. “I didn’t know but men can actually get breast cancer too; it is very rare, but men are actually affected by breast cancer as well.

“I want more men to be involved in the organization because even though it’s pretty rare for men to get breast cancer it still happens and it still effects close loved ones. I think breast cancer is one of the big cancers out there that affect people so much around the world.”

Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the group says breast cancer is something people need to be aware of all-year round.

“Spreading awareness during one month when it’s highlighted or just in October may not stick with somebody, because then it’s gone by Christmas,” said Sam Lawson, a member of the organization. “Being on campus all year long and talking to people about it all year long keeps it fresh on their minds.

“Breast cancer survivors are struggling all year not just in the month of October so we should be advocating for them all year.”

Troy University Breast Cancer Awareness Society is holding events throughout the month of October, with its next event being a balloon release on the 19th.

If you want to stay up to date with the Troy University Breast Cancer Awareness Society, follow their Instagram at Trojans in Pink.