October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Anna Jense

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The University of Georgia’s CoP wants to contribute to increasing awareness of breast cancer and the effects of it. 

Breast cancer is a disease where malignant tumors form in the tissue of the breast. Next to skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer. In 2021, an estimated 330,000 women and 2,650 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. While there are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, an estimated 43,600 and 530 men will die from breast cancer this year alone.

There are many myths around the cause of cancer in general, including that breast cancer is sometimes attributed to caffeine, deodorant, microwaves, cell phones. Coming in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with cancer is also a misconception.

In an effort to provide accurate information and increase awareness, the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) UGA chapter is co-sponsoring a district meeting on October 20th at 6:30 pm where Dr. Mandi Murph, an Associate Professor at the CoP, will converse about breast cancer. Mickey Y. Montevideo, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications and Dr. Vivia Hill-Silcott, Director of Diversity Programs and Academic Support will join to discuss their individual history and experience with breast cancer.

The Student Oncological Advocates in Pharmacy (SOAP) and American Pharmacists Association (APhA) UGA chapters will host a breast cancer survivor’s panel on October 28th from 12:30pm to 1:20pm. Panelists include PharmDawg Breast Cancer survivors: Dr. Grace Gowda, Director of the International Biomedical Regulatory Sciences Program; Louise Huff, Head Custodian; Dr. Michelle McElhannon, Public Service Assistant; Mickey Y. Montevideo, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications; and Dr. Vivia Hill-Silcott, Director of Diversity Programs and Academic Support.  These panelists will discuss their battles with breast cancer and their experiences during treatment. The contact for this event is Marwah Alzer, Marwah.alzer@uga.edu.

For more information about breast cancer or to donate to funding research and treatment, visit https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month.  


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