When you walk into the METCO office on the third floor of Braintree High School, EVERYTHING is pink. It’s all in preparation for “Think Pink” day on October 25th, and it’s all the work of METCO Director Renee Smith.
“Think pink started at my son’s High School when he was a freshman so I did it for 4 years there” Ms. Smith explained from the METCO office.
Renee Smith brought this tradition with her when she began working at Braintree High in 2022. For Smith, it’s important to create new ways each year to spread awareness about Breast Cancer.
“I knew coming to Braintree that so I wanted to bring it with me incorporate Think Pink Day to raise awareness for Breast Cancer” Smith stated.
Renee Smith and METCO Assistant Natasha Adams plan to keep “Think Pink” day as an annual tradition. Due to unawareness, the American Cancer Society saw a decrease in Breast cancer screening and awareness of different treatments over the years.
“It’s super important to me this is our third year doing “Think Pink” Day. Our first year wasn’t district wide but it is now all on the elementary schools the two middle schools and the high school will be participating on October 25th” said Smith.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it’s important to be aware that Breast Cancer shows no symptoms in its early stages; it is only found after symptoms appear. Even at a young age it is important to support and be aware. Breast screenings, biopsies, and checks from your doctors during physicals are recommended for Breast Cancer diagnosis. These tests will be done to find out the stage of the cancer. And for Renee Smith, this story really hits home.
“Backstory to that is I lost two aunts to Breast Cancer and my mom is a survivor so breast cancer is very near and dear to me,” says Smith. What Smith doesn’t mention, is why this is an important cause for Black women in particular.
The common age of a woman developing breasts is in middle aged and older women. The average risk is around 13%. The recent years have proved to have an increased incidence rate by 0.6% per year. The increase in younger women has risen higher in women younger than 50.
Coming to BHS in the beginning of 2023, Natasha Adams has been working along Ms. Smith in the METCO office preparing for this day. Showing huge support for “Think Pink” she created posters and other decorative items to place around the school.
“My experience is when I went to get my breast examined for a second time I had to go back and it was nerve wracking,” said Ms. Tasha.
The common age of a woman developing breasts is in middle aged and older women. There has been a decline over the years slowing the amount of screenings being taken a year has gone down due to unawareness of breast cancer. There is no way to prevent Breast Cancer but there are things that can be done to lower the risk of getting it. Knowing. It is helpful for certain women to understand these factors like having a strong family history or a certain inherited gene.
“I’ve never gone for a breast exam for a second time and when that happened just thinking all types of thoughts in my head. Thank god it was just a cyst but it was very scary.” Ms. Tasha shared
Regular breast cancer examinations are recommended by all doctors. Cancer is found after Symptoms appear causing many women to not get cracked in time. Most women with Breast Cancer don’t show any symptoms causing late treatment and lower survival rates.
“Think Pink is about expressing awareness about Breast cancer giving basic knowledge about it teaching people about early prevention”
The cooperation in Think Pink has grown slowly showing more cooperation over the years. Excitingly, “Think Pink” will be a District wide event for the first time on October 25 2024 reaching out to the middle and elementary schools.
“I want us to paint the town pink. Definitely wear your pink on 10/25 to your support for all those fighting that battle and for those that lost that battle to Breast Cancer.”
