Unfortunately, breast cancer is not talked about much amongst people our age. Most cases of breast cancer are in older women and men, and this leaves us at our most vulnerable as we aren’t always thinking about how we are being exposed to possible causes.
Protect Our Breasts is a national organization that was started at the University of Massachusetts by Cynthia Barstow after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The group promotes environmental awareness for potential causes of breast cancer, and educates and empowers young women to make safer decisions about what products they use and the foods they eat.
Barstow found that seven to eight percent of breast cancer cases can be linked to environmental factors women are exposed to during the most susceptible years of their lives, ranging from when they are fetuses up to their first pregnancy. As Louisa said, “This is the most vulnerable period of our lives where we are taking in environmental toxins. Whether that be putting in or on your body.” Barstow wanted to change this.
Skid’s chapter of Protect Our Breasts reached an important milestone this fall when they were chartered.
They began the process at the beginning of the 2019 spring semester. After SGA position switch-ups and a long summer, they have officially been recognized by their parent organization. They hope to now be able to focus on, “putting energy into building the club and a better foundation and getting more people involved.”
In honor of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Protect Our Breasts joined the national Girl Boss campaign. Since the club’s attitude is about protection and prevention, this campaign brought awareness to strong female role models and promoted taking control of your own body. Specifically, your right to know what you put in your body as a way to prevent breast cancer.
Skid’s chapter of Protect Our Breasts has bi-weekly meetings and everyone is welcome regardless of gender. A topic, such as parabens and phthalates or BPA, is chosen to be discussed at each meeting. Protect Our Breasts makes sure to discuss other health risks that come with these chemicals. There are presentations about the dangers of certain products and safe alternatives to them.
That being said, the leaders of the club do know that breast cancer can be a heavy topic so they try to make it fun and engaging as well. They have DIY events and companies get involved who then donate safe products to Skidmore.
Stay up to date with Protect Our Breasts via Skid Sync and the Facebook Group!