If Adam Schaffer gets his way, a nine-inch by four-inch card distributed in residence halls next year could save lives.

Schaffer, an Olin Health Advocate and human biology sophomore, is working with residence life staff to distribute breast and testicular self-examination cards in residence halls. He is going to all 24 halls on campus, requesting funds for the cards.

“It’s sad because there are things people can do to reduce the number of deaths to a highly treatable cancer,” Schaffer said.

The cards would explain how to give yourself an examination and what to look for in detecting breast or testicular cancer.

“College (age) is where (cancer) really starts, so we’re hoping to educate students and raise awareness,” Schaffer said.

“I’m also developing a pamphlet to be distributed next fall as well as bringing cancer survivors to speak on campus.”

Schaffer said it will cost $5,000 to implement the program in residence halls. More than 15 residence halls have offered money for the program.

Olin Health Educator Jasmine Greenamyer said the card is an important program because most students aren’t aware of the preventative health steps they can take at this point in their lives.

“Students usually only hear about this issue when there’s a diagnosis,” she said.

“In a survey, we found at least 70 to 80 percent of students have not received information on testicular and breast cancer.”

The 2002 National Collegiate Health Assessment reported an estimated 203,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 7,500 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2002.

It also reported that 38 percent of females and 30 percent of males on campus responded to having done early detection or prevention techniques for breast and testicular cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends three ways to help prevent breast cancer, including: obtaining a mammogram by a health professional every year after turning 40, obtaining a clinical breast exam every three years between the ages of 20 and 39 and giving a self-breast examination every month after turning 20.

For testicular cancer, the cancer society recommends receiving a testicular examination during annual visits to the doctor and being aware of changes.