By Noemi Samayoa, Opinion Editor | October 21, 2022
Photo courtesy of Ms. Hart
In October, people usually think of just Halloween, but it's also about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Regarding breast cancer, it’s important to understand that most breast lumps are benign and not cancerous (malignant).
Non-cancerous breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast. They are not life threatening, but there are some types of benign breast lumps that can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. Because of this, any breast lump or change needs to be checked by a health care professional to find out if it is benign or malignant (cancerous) and to determine if it might affect your future cancer risk. Breast cancer can spread when the cancer cells get into the blood or lymph system and then are carried to other parts of the body.
Here at Carson High School, we have spirit weeks, and during one of the days of spirit week, many young teens wore pink during the month of breast cancer awareness to show their support for the women and families that go through it. We also have a staff member that is a breast cancer survivor, and her name is Mrs. Hart. She explained her experience with the disease saying that she went to the doctor because she was experiencing pain under her arm.
“The doctors where saying that I was fine, but I knew something was going on in my body that didn’t feel right,” said Mrs. Hart.
Mrs. Hart knew that her body was telling her that something was off so doctors decided to complete a CT scam and an MRI-procedures to check for abnormalities within the body. Yet,
doctors didn’t find the cancer that was lurking beneath. Eventually, they found the cancer, which, at this point, was at stage 2A.
Mrs. Hart was sick and getting treatment, but she never missed a day of work. Instead, she pushed her body and soul because she didn’t want to just stay home. She knew she was cable of working and taking on treatment at the same time.
Mrs. Hart said, “It is important to be in a positive environment [and] never a negative one. If one is negative and is feeling down and doesn't want to do anything, the sickness has a better chance of affecting the person.”
Mrs. Hart credits her recovery to the strength that she gained from supportive family and friends.
Survivors like Mrs. Hart are warriors that remind us all about the importance of doctor’s visits, listening to our bodies, and the strength that it takes to overcome difficulties in life.
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