Cancer has touched and saddened the Marian community in the recent months with the death of Mrs. Sue O'Doherty Mueller '73 and Mrs. Gerilyn Salerno Casey '81. Mrs. Katie Pelan, Alum Director, said that at least 21 Marian alumns have have died of cancer over the years.
According to the American Cancer Society, 180,200 new cases of breast cancer, specifically, will be diagnosed in the United States
Mrs. Casey, mother of three, fought a 20-month struggle with breast cancer before it took her life. The 34 year-old speech language pathologist was five months pregnant with her third child when her doctor diagnosed a lump in her right breast as maligna nt. Mrs. Casey did not want to endanger the childŐs health so she refused chemotherapy.
After giving birth to daughter, Maria, she died on Nov. 6.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer has become the number one cause of death among women. One out of every nine will develop breast cancer in her life.
There are contributing factors in acquiring breast cancer. American Cancer Society statistics show that only one out of 500 women in their 30s will have breast cancer, while one out of every nine women in their 80s will get it.
White women are also more inclined to acquire breast cancer than black women. Women who have close family members with breast cancer are also more prone to have it.
Early detection is the best way to prevent breast cancer from becoming potentially fatal. Several doctors recommend a physical exam at ul in detecting cancer early. With early detection, patients have a 95 percent survival rate. The mother of Katrina Stoddard, senior, is in remission. This means that the cancer is diminishing. "My mom discovered it kind of early, so she is in a pretty good state. The important thing is that you stay positive and always have hope. ItŐs easier to deal with it that way," said Stoddard.
Although the cause for breast cancer is still unknown, researchers
have been vigorously studying for any answers. In the meantime, women truly need to know their bodies and recognize any possible dangers to their health. Annual exams can help young wo
men avoid becoming one of the statistics. "I get breast exams because my
health is extremely important to me. I'd rather be safe than sorry," said
senior Emily Simmons.