October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but advocates want to remind the community that it's not just during this month that people are impacted by the disease.
There are several Nevada organizations that focus on education and sharing resources. One is Test Those Breasts.
“It is important to have this awareness because so many people are not aware of what the signs of breast cancer are, what their personal risks are, and even how to advocate for themselves. And that if you're in your 20s or 30s, you can also get breast cancer,” said Jamie Vaughn. “It's not just an old lady’s disease.”
Breast cancer can also impact men, since they have breast tissue as well.
Test Those Breasts is a local non-profit started by Jamie Vaughn, a breast cancer survivor herself.
Vaughn felt like there was a lot she didn't know about breast cancer before being diagnosed and wants to arm the community with that knowledge.
Test Those Breasts works with other organizations to hold informational classes about self-testing, using a curriculum from Know Your Lemons.
The global resource shows there are more than just lumps that may be a sign of breast cancer, in an easily understandable way.
Some of those symptoms include unusual skin textures, nipple discharge, and sores. They may also be located in the neck or armpit areas.
Another organization that works in the Silver State is the Nevada Cancer Coalition.
“In Nevada in 2026, more than 2,880 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 430 people will lose their lives to this disease. These are our community members, our friends, our families, our colleagues,” said CEO Cari Herington. “That's a very scary number.”
The Nevada Cancer Coalition is working on changing that story through early detection.
More information about Test Those Breasts can be found here.
Information about the Nevada Cancer Coalition is here.
