Breast Cancer Awareness Finds Support in Campus Volleyball and Research

By MATEUS FERREIRA/Staff Writer

UT  Researchers and sororities support women during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Research in the Fisch College of Pharmacy

Dr. May Abdelaziz, assistant professor at the Fisch College of Pharmacy, has been researching targeted therapy for breast cancer. Dr. Abdelaziz hopes her work will benefit breast cancer advocacy.

“I am hoping to raise awareness about the medications that are available to cancer patients and how they work via different mechanisms,” Dr. Abdelaziz said.  “If we can get the patients to talk to their healthcare providers about their different options, we may be able to help more patients whose cancers do not respond well to treatments.”

One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in 2024, 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.  The good thing is when breast cancer is caught in early and localized stages, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer at these stages is 99%. Sixty-six percent of cancers are diagnosed at this stage.

Advancements in early detection and treatment technologies are making breast cancer more and more treatable. From 1989 to 2020, breast cancer deaths have fallen by 43%. New and innovative ways to treat cancer are created by targeting specific elements of breast cancer. Dr. Abdelaziz, for example, focuses on HER2’s role in cancer.

“HER2 is one of the cell receptors responsible for growth and division; when it’s over-activated, it leads to uncontrolled cell growth that progresses to cancer,” explained Dr. Abdelaziz. “It is highly involved in many solid tumors, but more prominently in breast cancer where it’s responsible for aggressive forms of cancer that are resistant to treatment.”

Dr. Abdelaziz and her team have uncovered a new molecule that helps HER2 enzyme activity. Since it’s a new mechanism, she hopes that it will offer hope to cancer patients with drug-resistant tumors.

“I witnessed closely how breast cancer impacts patients and their families. I want to use science to try to help these patients as much as I can,” she said.

Breast cancer has affected so many people which is why awareness is key, even among college-aged women.

According to the National Institutes of Health, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women aged 15 to 39. Women from this age range are more likely to have familial cancer predisposition genes, larger breast tumors, higher resurgence rates, more spread out cancer at diagnosis and poorer survival rates.

The American College of Radiology recommends that women—especially those with Jewish and Black ancestry—have a risk assessment by the age of 25 to determine if screening, starting earlier than age 40, is required.

Spreading Awareness on Campus

UT’s medical labs are not the only place where the fight against breast cancer is happening. Delta Sigma Theta worked to spread awareness through a volleyball game on Oct, 19 at the HPC at 2 p.m. The Sorority asked that all who attended to wear pink in solidarity with the cause.

“Breast Cancer Awareness is important to Delta Sigma Theta for many reasons. For one, it symbolizes female empowerment,” they told the Talon. “Sisterhood is the core of our sorority and this is an impactful form of that. Secondly, it highlights one of our five-point programmatic thrusts which is Physical and Mental Health. We want to really highlight the importance of health for all women and men and help bring awareness to such an impactful campaign.”

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority also stresses the importance of the way breast cancer has affected the black community.

“It is especially important for us to acknowledge that Black women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer, with higher mortality rates compared to other racial groups,” they said in a recent Instagram post. “This makes early detection and proactive healthcare even more critical in our communities.”

“Delta Sigma Theta is committed to honoring our sister survivors and those in our communities still courageously battling this disease,” they said in a recent Instagram post. “We recognize the strength and resilience of these women, and men, whose bravery continues to inspire us.”

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority also stresses the importance of the way breast cancer has affected the black community.

“It is especially important for us to acknowledge that Black women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer, with higher mortality rates compared to other racial groups,” they continued. “This makes early detection and proactive healthcare even more critical in our communities.”

According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Black women under 35 have breast cancer rates twice that of white women at the same age. Young Black Women are diagnosed with later stages of breast cancer and have lower survival rates. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“It is important to attack these issues that may be contributing to our increased mortality rate (late detection, access to care, health care disparities/inequality),” they explained. “As an organization that was founded on public service with a primary focus on the black community it is important that we continue to advocate for black women and educate people on the disparities that affect us.”

Delta Sigma Theta are determined in educating people on the risks and symptoms of breast cancer; they hope to break the stigma around the subject.

“Delta Sigma Theta remains steadfast in its mission to support and uplift our communities, particularly when it comes to addressing the health disparities that impact Black women. Let’s continue to raise awareness, promote early detection, and work toward a safer and healthier future for those impacted by breast cancer,” they wrote.

Through its advocacy the sorority hopes to warn students to take precautions against breast cancer. They recommend routine exercise and healthy eating habits, especially for those with a family history of breast cancer.  In their posts, the sorority advises its sorors and community members to have regular self-exams, mammograms and screenings. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, women who receive regular screenings have a 26% lower breast cancer death rate.

Resources for Students

There are many resources for students to access medical facilities for crucial checkups. UT, through Student health insurance, offers the academic Blue Student Health Plan—which under its preventive member flyers—provides screenings.

UT Health Tyler uses technology like Automated Breast Ultrasound and 3-D mammography. Appointments can be made at 903-596-DOCS, The CDC, The American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute offer free to low-cost mammograms, clinical breast exams, and financial assistance.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation advises that you can also call your local hospital and ask to speak to a social worker, or patient/nurse navigator. From there they will be able to refer you to any state or local financial assistance programs for breast cancer exams or breast cancer treatments.