When Al and Terry Rezsel were married, they took their vows seriously: in sickness and in health. So when Terry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, after 10 years of abnormal mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies, Al was determined to do whatever he could to help his wife and raise breast cancer awareness. In 2016, Al began Pink Pedals 4 A Cure. That inaugural year, he peddled 517 miles from St. Paul, MN to Geneva, IL. Each year, the distance has increased, giving the Rezsels a wider reach for awareness.
According to News4Jax, Al decided to make a 3,500 mile journey this year. He began in Key West, FL in early April and aims to reach Albany, MN by mid-May. As Al bikes, Terry follows behind him in the car. Throughout the trip, the Rezsels are fundraising to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. If you would like to donate to the cause, you may do so here. You can also follow along on Pink Pedals 4 A Cure to see where Terry has reached!
Breast Cancer: The Basics
As you might expect, breast cancer forms in breast cells. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in the United States. Although it is significantly more common in females, breast cancer can also affect males. Doctors believe that a blend of lifestyle, hereditary, and environmental factors play a role in breast cancer development. They have also identified certain risk factors, such as:
- BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
- A personal or family history of breast cancer
- Older age
- Obesity
- Radiation exposure
- Early menstruation or older menopause
- Never having children or having children at an older age
Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A lump in breast tissue
- Changes in a breast’s size, shape, or appearance
- Inverted nipples
- Breast skin dimpling, pitting, peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking
- Abnormal nipple discharge
- Breast redness and tenderness
Treatment varies based on the cancer’s stage (I, II, III, or IV), location, and size, as well as the patient’s health and preference. Potential treatments may include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or surgical interventions.
