They shouted: tits, knockers, jugs, melons, funbags, tatas, racks and milkshakes.
Although there are over 99 words for breasts, the participants of the USG-funded event Boobs and Bras 2015 pondered how many synonyms they knew while the crowd filed into Student Activities Center Ballroom B.
In its second appearance, Boobs and Bras seeks to educate both men and women about the importance of breast health and early awareness towards breast cancer. Leading the event was Stony Brook senior Mallory Rothstein, 22 and junior Alexa Goldstein, 20, as they emphasized the importance of people being comfortable with their images and loving their breasts.
“I rock a 32B. I don’t care what you say. It’s my body,” said Rothstein, who used to be made fun of for having small breasts to the point of being unofficially dubbed, “The Plains.”
Jennifer Islam, who coined the idea for Boobs and Bras, could not attend the event since she is currently studying abroad in Italy. However she posted a greeting video that started with, “Hello boobie lovers.”
Karen Dybus and Jean Tully of the Student Health Services took over after the beginning announcements and educated the audience about breasts, which ranged from breast’s anatomical structure to society’s obsession over female breasts, citing hip-hop singer Tyga’s Rack City.
Although some snickered when orgasms were mentioned in the discussion of sexualizing breasts, most audience members focused on the speakers after rolling their eyes at those individuals.
What caught serious attention from the crowd was the discussion about what causes breast cancer and who is most at risk. Several individuals were surprised to learn that the rumor about deodorants/antiperspirants causing breast cancers was false, that breast augmentations do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer and that lesbians may be at a higher risk for breast cancer because they experience breastfeeding and pregnancy at a lower rate than heterosexual women, according to SHS.
The event also stressed the importance of men’s knowledge on breast health as they included pamphlets demonstrating how to perform a self-breast exam for both men and women.
“Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate,” said David Alicia, 20, a student who participated in the event’s video montage about being confident with oneself’s breasts.
Zachary Davis, a Residence Hall Director in Kelly Quad and a panelist invited to weigh in on the issue of breast health, explained that he only learned about breast health awareness when one teacher brought in a case full of breasts diagrams and tossed them at his students. He also ordered them to check for lumps.
According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about one in 1,000 for men; however Dybis warned that it can be just as deadly for men because they typically do not pursue breast exams as often as women.
“Dudes, check out your boobs, too,” said Davis.
Overall the event was a combined assortment of healthy conversations, free sports-bras, boob-related humor, pink and yellow cupcakes, Wolfie wearing a pink t-shirt and bra decorations that included glitter, feathers and googly eyes.
Rothstein explained that this event had to have a larger attendance outcome than last year’s. The university initially expressed concerns over holding an event called Boobs and Bras, causing the organizers to keep it small in 2014. But this year’s event was crowded to the point where extra chairs needed to be brought in.
Deborah Zelizer, program director of the Health Science major, was hesitant about being a panelist and talking about breasts, but the energy and size of the event changed her mind in an instant. “After seeing this event, I hope you invite me back next year,” Zelizer said. “It’s the most awesome event on campus.”
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