TROY – Troy University students are trying to do their part in the fight
against breast cancer by conducting a fund raiser in October’s Breast
Cancer Awareness Month.

The group’s main project is the Womanless Beauty Pageant at 8 p.m.

Oct. 25 in the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor. All campus organizations
have been asked to get involved.  Contestants will compete in evening wear
and talent. The queen will be decided by audience donations.

“We encourage everyone to come out and support this wonderful
cause and to learn more about how breast cancer affects our society,”
said Rhonda Sanders, Women’s Initiate president.

A breast cancer survivor will speak to the group and informative
handouts about the importance of self-exams and early detection will
be available during the fund raiser.

Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts will be on sale for $12 and bumper
stickers will also be available for $5. 

The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, so there are no
sure ways to prevent it. There are steps that every woman can take
that may make developing breast cancer less likely. These include
eating healthy, exercising regularly and limiting the amount of alcohol
you drink. Leading a healthy lifestyle will not eliminate the occurrence
of breast cancer, but it may help reduce the risk, according to the
Susan G. Kohman Foundation, a national organization aimed at
fighting breast cancer.

The breast cancer issue isn’t entirely a female problem. Men have
breast tissue also and can develop breast cancer. About 1,700 men
were diagnosed with breast cancer and about 460 died of the disease
in 2005.