The month of October is dedicated to the awareness of Breast Cancer and Domestic and Interpersonal Violence.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign that spreads awareness of the disease and promotes its education and preventative methods. The month is best represented by the pink ribbon, which is seen throughout the month at events and organizational gatherings that aim to support awareness of the disease.
The Breast Cancer Awareness campaign also raises awareness for specific groups of breast cancer, with specifically dedicated days. For instance, Oct. 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Oct. 17 to 23 is Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week.
“One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in her lifetime. It is predicted that in 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer,” said the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
It is important for people to understand that breast cancer can affect both men and women, but it is more likely to occur in women. With this likely occurrence, women receive annual screenings for breast cancer through the form of mammograms.
“It’s usually something that older people and women struggle with, but I think it’s important to be able to catch it and take preventative actions before because there’s a lot of stuff you can do and be knowledgeable about before it happens to you,” said Bridget Mainor, a sophomore English and philosophy double major.
The campaign works to raise money, support and awareness of the disease throughout the month, as well as the year, and is open to different events. In Georgia specifically, Atlanta hosts events like The Pink Ribbon 5K Run/Walk and the Georgia 2-Day Walk For Breast Cancer to raise money for clinics and grants that will benefit breast cancer services.
At GCSU, the Center for Health and Social Issues is hosting its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Oct. 23 from 12 to 2 p.m. by the Arts and Sciences Fountain. The walk will take place at 1 p.m., and the event will include games, snacks and t-shirts.
The HUB at GCSU has also posted fliers regarding Breast Cancer Awareness, which include a QR code that takes students to an informational website regarding the signs of breast cancer. In the past, the HUB has hosted informational sessions about women’s health regarding both breast cancer as well as women-related topics like menstrual cycles and going to your first gynecologist appointment.
“I think it is really important to the community because it’s important to be aware of these things and to know how to deal with them in the best ways possible, and these gatherings seem like a good step to learning about more,” said Isabella Guidera, a junior mass communication major.
Although it is considered rare for women and men in their 20s to get diagnosed with breast cancer, it is still possible. Women who are diagnosed younger can suffer from more invasive types of breast cancer, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
“A lot of people in their 20s have loved ones who might experience it or go through it, so I think it’s a good time for individuals because it’s preventative but there to help them with family members who might be at the age where they’re going through it too,” Mainor said.
Other than Breast Cancer Awareness, October is also Domestic and Interpersonal Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Awareness Month, or DVAM, is a national campaign that specializes in raising awareness about domestic violence and the support of people affected by it.
The DVAM campaign is dedicated to voicing the survivors of domestic violence, both past and present. The purple ribbon represents the campaign’s awareness, and similarly to the breast cancer awareness ribbon, it can be seen in the events and gatherings for domestic violence awareness, like the Domestic Violence Awareness 5K Walk/Run hosted by the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
In 2023, the DVAM campaign launched the Domestic Violence Awareness Project with the themes of “Heal, Hold, and Center.” The project aims to provide ways to heal from oppression and violence, commit to holding space for survivors and center those marginalized in efforts to end domestic violence.
Domestic violence is an issue that impacts relationships, both young and old. According to the Break the Cycle website, every minute, 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the U.S.
Domestic violence, while mostly physical, can include verbal abuse, like coercion, yelling, humiliation, manipulation, stalking, threats and isolation. Although domestic and interpersonal violence mostly affects women in a relationship, it is important to note that men can also experience domestic violence.
“There can be red flags on both sides, so although we have traditionally worked with women and with women’s gender identity spaces, those activities can still happen on the other side,” said Micheal Snowden, Executive Director of Inclusion and Belonging at the Office of Inclusion and Belonging at GCSU. “There should be some coping mechanisms on the other side in terms of how to spot those red flags so that they can if, it’s a male, can get out of a relationship that’s not conducive to positive aspects of dating.”
At GCSU, there are opportunities that lend to support and awareness of domestic and interpersonal violence. In the past, the Women’s Center hosted its Clothesline Project, which raised awareness for those who experienced any power-based interpersonal violence through the display of decorated t-shirts. This year, the Clothesline Project has been pushed to the spring semester rather than the fall.
The HUB at GCSU continues to be a resource for those who wish to learn the signs of domestic violence. Posters have been displayed that show the red flags that can occur within a relationship relating to domestic violence.
“For our office, and in particular for this area, what it [the HUB] stood for and continues to stand for, in terms of women empowerment, it’s also a safety issue, you want to be aware of your surroundings, this is a place where you can learn those skills,” Snowden said.
Mae Daniels, a student intern at the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, gave insight into the resources offered outside of the GCSU for students or locals affected by domestic violence. These resources include The Middle Georgia Crisis Center, located in both Macon and Warner Robins, Victim advocacy networks and counseling services/outreaches.
Breast Cancer and Domestic and Interpersonal Violence Awareness Month at GCSU is important because it helps college students gain knowledge about topics and experiences that can occur to them or people they know.
