Breast Cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer.

According to the Burlington Free Pass website, an estimated of 226,870 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 39,510 will die from this disease.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is important to recognize the survivors and the ones who are currently affected by the dangerous disease.

Being an active young woman that goes to school or works hard at work, and just lives life and then gets hit by this shocking news must be devastating, according to a pamphlet from The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation titled We’re Taking Care of Our Lives: Young women talk about cancer.

It also states that there are a lot of things going on in a women’s mind such as thinking about the future, worrying about all the finances, and, especially thinking about their loved ones.

The young women talk about breast cancer say that this year in the United States alone, about 10,000 young women under 40 will be told that they have breast cancer. Of these about 1000 will be between 20 and 30 years old.

Over 250,000 women under 40 are living with breast cancer. Many of these women found out they had cancer while they were in their twenties.

Young women can get breast cancer in their twenties and sometimes even younger. If you don’t smoke, have no family history of cancer, and are healthy you are still at risk of getting cancer. Every women is at risk for breast cancer.

It is currently unknown what causes breast cancer but if it is found early, women have a better chance of treating it.

Nikki James, a judicial affairs assistant at the Student Activities center, is a uterine cancer survivor and has been for four years. Her mom is a Breast Cancer Survivor and it was difficult for James to experience that as a young adult.

“I have to go to regular checkups yearly now to check on my cancer and make sure I don’t have breast cancer since my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer,” James explained.

As both survivors of cancer it’s made their relationship stronger as mother and daughter.

“I make sure to walk for breast cancer for my mom and she does as well,” James explained.

James also reinforced the same information found in the We’re Taking Care of Our Lives: Young women talk about breast cancer pamphlet which is, women diagnosed with cancer need to learn what is normal for their breasts, go do mammograms every month, and go to the doctors right away if something does not feel right. Explain the young women talk about breast cancer pamphlet.

People often have difficulty speaking with a friend or family member about breast cancer.

Cerritos College student Jeremy Lopez is affected with breast cancer.

“I do have a cousin with breast cancer and breast cancer runs in my family,” Lopez said.

“My grandma had breast cancer and passed away two weeks ago.”

Steps to help people with Breast Cancer:

• Make sure to find out everything you can about breast cancer and the treatment choices out there.
• Tell the person you are ready, willing, and able to help with anything. For instance, taking them to the doctors, picking up medicine, running errands, etc.
• Pull together a support team with family and friends. With everyone’s support things can get done.

Lopez explained he is trying to get healthy and in shape in order not to get cancer.

Cancer is a serious disease that affects both men and women. It is important to receive monthly medical exams.