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Student takes cancer message to VIU

Alysha Mutter’s first introduction to cancer came at a young age. She was only five years old when her dad was struck by the disease.

Alysha Mutter’s first introduction to cancer came  at a young age.


She was only five years old when her dad was struck by the disease.


“It was not something that we ever talked about. I just remember being really scared” she said.


Mutter’s experience with cancer didn’t stop there. She never had the chance to meet her grandmother, who died from breast cancer before she was born, and her aunt also had breast cancer, but beat it.


Mutter, a fourth-year biology student at Vancouver Island University, joined the Canadian Cancer Society’s Women’s Health Campaign and is taking the fight against cancer to her campus.


She plans on distributing information to students, faculty and staff about the early detection and prevention of some of the most common women’s cancers, including colorectal, breast and cervical.


“I want to help raise awareness in the VIU community about ways to reduce the risk of cancer,” said Mutter, who teamed up with the VIU Health and Wellness Centre to distribute resource material.


As part of the campaign, the society is encouraging women to develop a ‘game plan’ for cancer by visiting www.cancergameplan.ca and spreading the word through online social media such as Facebook and Twitter.


“We not only want women to know how to reduce their risk, we want them to take action,” said Nancy Falconer, health promotion coordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society.


The society is recommending that women:


* Know their body and watch for signs of cancer.


* Check their family’s cancer history.


* Make healthy eating choices, don’t smoke and be physically active.


* Talk to their doctor.


For more information, please visit www.cancer.ca or call 1-888-939-3333.