Texila American University hosts breast cancer awareness event

October is a special month dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, and Texila American University held a day’s social campaign on the disease on Friday.
The event took place at the university’s Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) campus, where dozens of students, professors, and other staff were gathered and featured several presentations.
Many were dressed in pink, a colour associated with the battle against breast cancer.
Student Affairs Coordinator at the university, Dr Anneesa Taylor during a well-researched presentation, explained that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, accounting for over two million cases worldwide annually.
She provided information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, diagnosis, the different stages, management and treatment, and screening and prevention. Those gathered were shown a video on how to conduct breast self-examination.
Importantly, Dr Taylor cautioned that breast self-examination is not a diagnostic tool for breast cancer because of false positives.
This disease can only be confirmed by a trained healthcare provider, she noted.
Meanwhile, Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Dr Dheeraj Bansal strongly encouraged breast self-awareness. He explained that the key to breast self-awareness is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel as this helps you to notice any changes.
He revealed that women who use oral contraceptives, have radiation therapy, are obese, have not nursed, or are on hormone replacement therapy are among those who have an increased risk of breast cancer.
In his presentation, the medical practitioner alluded to recent advancements in the field of breast cancer, including the use of Artificial Intelligence diagnosis, breast cancer vaccines, and immunotherapy.
The Dean also discussed male breast cancer, which he said “is not talked about much”.
Although breast cancer in men is rare, he said this does not mean that the issue should be ignored. He emphasised that people are incredibly ignorant about the illness and called for it to be handled with the same consideration and caution as breast cancer in women.