by Stephanie Laird
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimates that almost 10,000 new cases of breast
cancer among females will occur this year in Ohio. The CDC
estimates that almost 2,000 Ohio women will die from breast
cancer this year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer
diagnosed for women in this country. It is the second leading
cause of deaths due to cancer in this country, and more than
40,000 American women are expected to die in 2005 because of
breast cancer. Although affected in much smaller numbers than
women, almost 2,000 men will join the ranks of those who have
breast cancer, and nearly 500 men will die from it in 2005.
If breast cancer is detected and
treated early, the possibility of suffering and death can be
greatly reduced. Mammography is the most effective means of
detecting breast cancer. Even though mammography rates are
growing for insured women, rates among the uninsured remain low.
Women beneath the poverty line are not likely to have had a
mammogram within the previous two years.
October is National Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, which provides women an opportunity to
educate themselves about breast cancer. For more than twenty
years, this month has served as a reminder for women about the
importance of early breast cancer detection and treatment.
Community Service Programs (CSP) will be sponsoring several
events and clinics in Southeastern Ohio designed to raise
awareness and provide preventive measures against breast cancer.
“As women age,” says Janice
Smith, CSP Healthy Adult Project coordinator, “the risk of
breast cancer rises. Women should begin to perform monthly
breast self-examinations by age 20. By the time they turn 40,
they should receive yearly mammograms. We want to encourage
women to get yearly breast exams done by a trained nurse
practitioner or physician. These can detect abnormalities that
may go undetected by a mammogram. As risk factors vary from
person to person, a woman and her physician should decide upon
the examination regime that’s best for her.”
“Educating women about breast
health is extremely important.”
The reduction of risk factors
for breast cancer plays an important part in fighting breast
cancer, says Smith.
“There are several steps women
can take to reduce risk factors: decrease daily fat intake,
increase fiber in the diet, eat fresh fruits and vegetables,
limit alcohol, stay active through exercise, maintain a healthy
body weight and don’t smoke.”
Along with Smith, CSP’s
Melanie Moynan-Smith, M.S.N., certified nurse practitioner,
and Anne Pearch, CSP perinatal nurse coordinator, will be
leading CSP’s activities during the month. Four breast and
cervical cancer screening clinics and six educational exhibits
will be held.
Uninsured and underinsured women
who are age 50 or older are encouraged to make appointments for
free mammograms and/or a clinical breast exam. Uninsured and
underinsured women age 40 and older are encouraged to make
appointments for cervical cancer screening.
“Our breast and cervical cancer
screening clinics are a year-round service meant to improve
women’s health in our region of Southeastern Ohio,” says
Moynan-Smith.”
“At the exhibits we will be
providing information about breast cancer awareness, detection,
warning signs and breast self-examination, and answering
questions women have pertaining to cervical cancer as well.”
“If all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection
methods — mammography plus clinical breast exam — breast
cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent,”
says Pearch. “The key to mammography screening is that it be
done routinely — once is not enough.”
CSP will have exhibits at the
Scioto County Health Fair and Wal-Mart’s health fair.
Additionally, CSP is supporting Lee National Denim Day Friday,
Oct. 7, to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The
Komen foundation is dedicated to fighting breast cancer and has
raised more than $740 million that has
been used for innovative cancer research and community outreach
programs as well as diagnostic efforts. In 2001, Komen was named
one of the 100 best charities by Worth magazine.
A complete list of this
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month events held by CSP
follows.
National
Mammography Day is Friday, Oct. 21. For more information, please
call (800) 844-2654.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Events
§
Breast Cancer
Display and Education, Hocking County Fairgrounds food
distribution site, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 9 to 11 a.m.
§
Breast and
Cervical Cancer Clinic, Barlow United Methodist Church, State
Route 550, Barlow, Ohio, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
§
Breast Cancer
Display and Education, Federal Resource Center in Stewart,
Thursday, Oct. 13, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
§
Scioto County
Health Fair, CSP Breast Cancer Display and Education,
Portsmouth, Friday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to noon.
§
Wal-Mart Health
Fair, CSP Breast Cancer Display and Education, East State
Street, Athens, Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
§
Breast and
Cervical Cancer Clinic, Hocking Valley Community Hospital,
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
§
Breast and
Cervical Cancer Clinic, Morgan County Health Department,
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
§
Breast Cancer
Display and Education, Shade Community Center, old State Route
33, Friday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to noon.
§
National
Mammography Day, Friday, Oct. 21
§
Breast Cancer
Display and Education, Athens County Fairgrounds food
distribution site, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 9 to 11 a.m.
§
Breast and
Cervical Cancer Clinic, 4th Floor Parks Hall,
Thursday, Oct. 27, 8 a.m. to noon.
- 30 -
News for
the week of Sept 26 –
Oct 1
