VOL . 103, no. 8
t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f t e x a s at e l pa s o
O c t o b e r 1 7, 2 0 1 7
DESIGN BY ALEJANDRA GONZÁLEZ / The Prospector
By claudia flores The Prospector Every October turns pink as different local, national and international charities join the annual breast cancer awareness campaign to raise money for cancer research and offer support to those who are or have been affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer starts when the cells grow out of control, often forming a tumor that can be seen through an x-ray or be felt as a lump. It is more
common in women, but men can get it too. “When I discovered the little lump, it wasn’t on my breast, it was more on the side of my ribs” said Maria Magdalena Rubalcava, 53-year-old breast cancer survivor. “Within weeks the little lump became larger and moved to the lower portion of my right breast, that was when I decided to go to the doctor, and after a mammography and a biopsy, they told me it was cancer.” The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority on campus focuses on different activities
throughout the month of October to educate others, promote awareness and do fundraising for breast cancer patients such as Rubalcava. “We want to educate our women, our UTEP students and anyone else who is willing to listen,” said Andrea Luna, senior organizational and corporate communication major and director of philanthropy. “Each semester we try to hold a workshop provided by our nationals and our national partnerships, where it gives a basic rundown of what signs and
symptoms to look for and how to perform a breast exam.” Luna said she found her passion in volunteering for breast cancer awareness from the significant statistics of people who are affected. “Since 1992, Zeta Tau Alpha has been actively creating awareness for breast cancer through breast health tip cards, self-examination stickers and pink ribbons to create awareness,” Luna said “Our various partnerships with BrightPink, NFL and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer have allowed us to do more than
pass out ribbons. We’ve had the opportunity to interact with survivors and learn their stories, the struggles of their families and how they have had to cope with this illness in their lives and their loved ones.” According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is more common among women, with one in eight diagnosed. An early diagnosis and early treatment are the most important strategies, as this can prevent deaths and the cancer is easier to treat successfully.
see breast cancer on page 4