2.3 million diagnosed worldwide.

670,000 deaths globally.

The most common diagnosis of cancer in the U.S.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosis worldwide and is the number one cancer among women, but its impacts have touched the Prosper community directly. October is commonly recognized as breast cancer awareness month, and the PHS Breast Cancer Awareness Club has taken action to raise knowledge regarding the illness.

Junior Dhruvi Tank is the co–president of the club, which she started her sophomore year along with junior Ananya Yerram. The club initially had only a few members but has grown to over 40 participants. Tank speaks about her reasoning for starting the club.

“The impacts of breast cancer and the number of women affected by it are not as well known,” Tank said. “One in four women get breast cancer at least once in their life.”

Tank herself has personal experience with cancer, seeing its impacts firsthand.

“My grandma passed because of stage 4 breast cancer,” Tank said. “She hid having cancer from the rest of our family because the chemotherapy was obviously very expensive, and I don’t want anyone else to hide something as big as this from their own family.”

Tank said that women are not the only individuals affected.

“It’s not commonly known that men are also affected by breast cancer,” Tank said. “Since we have a whole month for this specific cause, we want to raise as much awareness as we can.”

The club has done various fundraising events including Relay for Life, spreading awareness by putting up posters, making cards for breast cancer survivors, and donating kits to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. They are hoping to have a guest speaker join them in the future.

“Today with social media being a huge platform, it’s really easy to repost things to raise awareness,” Tank said. “Making breast cancer awareness kits through the National Breast Cancer Foundation or Relay 4 Life is also easy. They have kits you can buy online, assemble, and give to current or past survivors.”

Tank said that even after she graduates, she hopes the younger members will carry on the mission of the club.

“Continuing to have meetings,” Tank said. “Continuing to spread awareness, and leaving the club in good hands so that cancer fighters everywhere are recognized. It’s important to remember to be kind to those who have gone through this because it really takes a toll on your mental health.”

Anatomy and Physiology Teacher Darilyn Krempin has been teaching at Prosper High School since 2019. However, her relationship with health science extends beyond just her regular classroom. As the sponsor for the Breast Cancer Awareness Club, and a five year cancer survivor, Krempin speaks about the reason for sponsoring the club.

“The students,” Krempin said. “I had a few students come and ask me if I would want to be their sponsor and I said of course. As a breast cancer survivor, I was honored that they would ask me to support and sponsor the club and raise awareness for such a cause.”

The club has been able to bring understanding for breast cancer through various discussions and events.

“One of the things the club does during meetings is discuss facts and statistics and share the stories of family members, friends or community members who have been impacted by breast cancer,” Krempin said. “They have also discussed self–care, self–examinations, and symptoms. They have educated themselves about breast cancer which will help them spread awareness to others. The cards with words of encouragement and support to give to people that are currently battling breast cancer leave an impact.”

In addition to Krempin being a cancer survivor, her mother and best friend are also breast cancer survivors.

“I hope the Prosper community will take away the importance of being educated about the disease, self–examinations, self–care, the symptoms to look for, and how early detection can save lives,” Krempin said. “We want to do what we can, even if it is as simple as making a card, to show support to our community members that may be fighting breast cancer.”

AP Statistics teacher and cancer survivor Carla Richey was diagnosed in 2023.

“My cancer was very small and caught early,” Richey said. “I had a tumor that was less than 1 cm big and some pre–cancer cells, so I chose to have a double mastectomy.”

Around 72% of breast cancer patients choose to have a mastectomy when the pre–cancerous cells (ductal carcinoma) have affected too much of the area. Many women with a genetic history of breast cancer may also choose to get a mastectomy in order to reduce the risk of diagnosis later.

“I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation,” Richey said, “so no other treatment was necessary.”

Recovery for breast cancer can vary from patient to patient, but many go through the common processes of surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. For some patients, like Richey, these treatments might not be required after a mastectomy as the cancer cells have already been removed. However, Richey said it is important to have regular follow–up appointments to remain risk–free.

“I have three month and six months follow–up appointments with two different oncologists to do exams and blood work,” Richey said. “I have been cancer–free for one year now.”

Tank said the largest motivator for her continued advocation is to make sure that financial issues didn’t burden any other families. With up to 45% of cancer fighters experiencing anxiety, mental health is becoming more prevalent than ever for those going through medical issues.

“It’s okay to experience something like this,” Tank said. “You should never feel afraid to share your feelings with others and it is important to talk to others. Understanding what you’re going through is the best thing you can do for yourself.”