Students and staff at Fresno City College marked National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Oct. 16, acknowledging the benefits of the campaign to educate women on the topic.

Amid pink ribbons, the symbol associated with breast cancer awareness since 1991, many who gathered in front of the library shared the ways in which breast cancer has touched their lives.

The forum featured testimonies from some who had lost loved ones to cancer as well as tips from counselors on regular screenings.  Still, many in the audience came in their pink garb to show support.

Bianca Stone, a small business management  major at FCC, said that her great aunt died of breast cancer 12 years ago.

“She was a really heavy smoker- at least a whole pack a day,” Stone said. “By the time it was caught, it was too late for treatment.”

Her great aunt was said to have died within a year of detection. To Stone, “it’s alienating” that this case was swept under the rug.

“I wish my family would be more open,” she said.

Stone has been going to her health care provider for examinations for the past two years even though she feels she has not been adequately guided.

Freshman Hunter Lanier, a child development major, also has a family history of breast cancer. Her grandmother passed away at 76 years old. Lanier said that she would be more cautious about her health and generally advises everyone to “stay away from drugs.”

Having a family history or genetic tendency should lead younger generations to become more inquisitive and cautious about potential risks.

Information released by the American Cancer Society shows that 2 percent of women in the United States are genetically predisposed to breast cancer. These women are advised to take exams such as an MRI in addition to a mammogram.

FCC counselor Graciela Ramirez, 56, gets a mammogram every year. Although her results come back negative each time, her doctors assert a yearly check-up as a safety measure.

The National Cancer Institute posted that mammography is a way to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 70. It is recommended that women in this age range have mammograms every 1 to 2 years.

“It’s a scary process waiting for the radiologist,” Ramirez said.

But regardless of fear of the outcome, she is receptive to what the doctors recommend.

Although mammograms are generally administered to women starting at age 40 years old, self-examinations and preventive measures are suggested for younger adults, males included.

“Some of the biggest problems with breast cancer are inactivity, obesity and smoking,” FCC Health Services nurse Linda Albright said.

Obesity is also found to be a significant factor in recurrence of cancer cells, according to a published study by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. However, the study also stated that weight is “potentially a controllable risk factor.”

Study subjects included premenopausal women. This opens the possibility of breast cancer even to women in their 20s. On this note, Albright emphasized prudency about breast examinations.

The Health Services office at FCC has set up an information kiosk in order to promote breast cancer awareness month. This table is available until Nov. 8.

With several illustrative pamphlets from the American Cancer Society, everyone can learn about risk factors, prevention, medical aid and implications of cancer. The nurses at Health Services also offer instructions on how to do self-examinations.

Other students demonstrate the spirit of breast cancer awareness month by wearing its color. The FCC men’s and women’s soccer teams wear pink T-shirts and armbands during practice, according to Kalli Vollmer, who is on the team.

“It helps raise awareness so that women know how to look out for it,” Vollmer said. Teammate Jessica Newman agrees.

“Precaution is for everyone, not just people in their 40s.”