Mohawk College learning facility hosts breast cancer info event

Breast Cancer Canada is trying to get the message out as part of an information campaign at Mohawk College, that it is a disease that can affect everyone.

An event was hosted by The Agency at the college Monday afternoon showcasing guest speakers, testimonials and information.

Brad Whiteclaw, a breast cancer survivor, said when he was first diagnosed his oncologist offered monthly injections and daily pills as options for treatment over five years.

The price tag was $50,000 out-of-pocket.

“I was very upset,” he said. “When you are looking at having to pay for and having to make the decision based on financials – that’s discrimination.”

Whiteclaw came to this conclusion after his doctor said it would have been covered if he was female.

Making research and treatments more accessible to the public is one of the goals of Breast Cancer Canada.

Megan Dunscombe, the communications manager with Breast Cancer Canada said, “one thing I would love everyone to know about breast cancer is that early detection saves lives.”

To help them on their mission of awareness, Breast Cancer Canada teamed up with The Agency at Mohawk College.

The Agency is an experimental learning facility within the college, where students from different programs can collaborate in developing solutions for businesses in the Greater Hamilton Area.

Students in public relations and corporate communications programs get real world experience and help the community at the same time.

Tim Tuck, a professor at Mohawk College, said “today they’re executing an awareness event to help draw attention to the need of the client that they have been working with throughout the semester.”

According to the students, they learned a lot more than just logistics and planning.

Ayden Beck said, “I knew getting checked earlier is important because, again, breast cancer can happen to anyone at any age.”

Another student Sawyer Berklaar added, “also learning public health often recommends breast cancer screening for 40 and 50-year-olds, whereas anyone can get breast cancer at any age.”

Dunscombe said, “this year 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer – that’s around 30,000 women.”

They also say that around one per cent of all breast cancer cases occur in males, which is why they are urging everyone to get screened for the disease.

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