A Pink October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Power in Pink, held from Tuesday to Thursday, enlightened students on breast cancer awareness month by offering insights to the essential healthcare resources for them and the effective tools for early detection.

For the first time, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s yearly Power in Pink was hosted not only in Edinburg, but in Harlingen and Brownsville as well. 

 “Initiatively it was always just at the Edinburg campus, but as we expand and we keep expanding we want to make sure that we also service the Brownsville campus and the Harlingen campus,” said Fay Kennan, manager of University Recreation Fitness and Wellness.

Power in Pink fostered awareness about breast cancer by providing students with the necessary information to receive free health resources accessible to them. 

According to Kennan, a lot of people hesitate to seek medical help or do preventative visits. “We hope that with us hosting these events, people get to go to their physicians and get their checkups and hopefully catch things early,” he added. 

One of the ways for women to help reduce their risk of developing breast is lactation and breastfeeding.  

“Breastfeeding your baby exclusively for six months can reduce the risk for breast cancer,” said Tamera Garcia, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC.

“In regards to breast cancer awareness there is a secure sanitary location to express breast milk or even to breastfeed a child,” said Nina Barrientos, coordinator of Employee Engagement Wellness. “WIC can help guide you for resources not only within the public community, but within the institution as well.” 

These Nursing Mother Suites are located in various buildings on every UTRGV campus.

According to the National Library of Medicine, breastfeeding for over a year is shown by studies to decrease the risk of invasive breast cancer by approximately 4.3%. All breastfeeding mothers have the risk of developing breast cancer lowered to 11%, while mothers nursing their babies for over a year experience a 26% reduction in breast carcinoma.

A tool provided during Power in Pink was breast self-exams which according to UT Health RGV School of Podiatric Medicine, is an early detection tool that uses a combination of physical and visual examination on the breast to check for any bumps or lumps. 

As a disclaimer, UT Health RGV School of Podiatric Medicine added that breast self-examination should not take the place of regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Barrientos, who has a family member in remission of breast cancer said, “regardless of your age, breast cancer does not discriminate.”

 “It’s important to get that early detection, whether it’s self-examination, or going to get a mammogram,” said Candy Montes, program assistant of  the School of Podiatric Medicine. “It’s very important to understand women out there are struggling and some wish that they [could] have detected it earlier.” 

The main concept that Kennan hoped students took away from attending Power in Pink is that “school can be hectic sometimes and life can get busy, but always take time out to take care of you.”  

For more information on the resources available for students and staff visit Employee Wellness’ website.