Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death in America, making it the second most cause of death worldwide, but more specifically breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. According to cancer.gov,  there were over 200,000 estimated cases in 2022 alone. Komen.org reports that an estimated 44,000 women will die of breast cancer in 2022–that’s 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer which is equal to a diagnosis every two minutes. Statistics such as these are why so many companies and doctors try to bring awareness to the early symptoms and raise money to get better equipment for screenings and mammograms to catch breast cancer earlier and more accurately. Some women are more prone to getting breast cancer, such as people who have it in their genetics or women over the age of 55. Nurse Caronna Kinney here at Abraham Lincoln High School recommends looking for symptoms and making sure to get your mammogram done if you’re more at risk than others. 

A popular campaign we may see today is pink out with the pink ribbon. Companies and schools have pink outs to help bring awareness to breast cancer. Even the NFL has used this pink ribbon as a symbol within their teams to help bring awareness.

One teacher at AL has had her own battle with breast cancer. Spanish teacher, Tricia Suchsland has talked about her journey, even when she had to teach virtually, and her life afterward. 

During her recovery, she was given the opportunity by the school to teach virtually to make sure she recovers smoothly and still can teach her classes.

“It helped me physically and mentally and I’m grateful for the district because if I were to get COVID I wouldn’t be able to get my radiation,” Suchsland said.  

Suchsland further advised, “Get your mammograms yearly, if I hadn’t it would’ve gotten   further, but I was able to catch my cancer early on.” 

For more information about breast cancer and ways to get tested the website NCCD offers cancer programs around your area and how to get started.