As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, a local woman is doing her part to help raise money and awareness.

Melanie Merchant, of Wheeling, has seen several of her family members fight the disease, including her grandmother, who is a survivor.

"Seeing her go through it … that was really difficult," Merchant said.

Now, at age 23, Merchant is taking charge of her health and using her business, Beauti Control, to benefit the cause.

"I realized that I could actually do something to raise money and raise awareness for it and I felt very empowered by that," Merchant said.

This month, when she sells some of the products, she will donate a portion of her profits to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation.

Because breast cancer is in her family history, Merchant is part of a high-risk group that doctors say can develop cancer and nearly any age.

"There is no such thing as, 'You are too young to get cancer,'" said Dr. JonDavid Pollock of Wheeling Hospital. "It's unusual to see it in women under the age of 30. It's unusual to see it in women under the age of 50. But we do see it."

For people like Merchant who are high-risk, Pollock said traditional breast-health guidelines -- like waiting until the age of 40 for a mammogram -- may not be suitable.

"I'll be brutally honest with you. Nobody has come up with clear, concise and adequate recommendations on how to screen for those high-risk women just yet," Pollock said.

Merchant and a friend have planned a "Girls Get Together" event for this Saturday at Curves in Moundsville. Local companies have donated gift baskets and prizes for the event. It is from 2-4 p.m. at 1513 Third St. For more information you can call Merchant at (304) 780-5910.

For more information, visit our special Breast Cancer Awareness section.