DUBOIS – Sandra Stom, case manager and nurse educator at DuBois Regional Medical Center’s Breast Care Services always tells her patients, “The best defense against breast cancer is an educated woman.”
Learning about the disease and overcoming fear is the first step to survival. Conquering our fears is empowering, Stom said. “Surviving cancer starts with understanding what you can do now. Remember, the majority of diagnosed patients are treated successfully.”
In an outreach endeavor to educate the women of our community, DRMC Breast Care Services and Hahne Regional Cancer Center along with The Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure invite all women to a Breast Cancer Awareness Program entitled:
“What you need to know.”
The event will be held on from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 10, at DRMC’s Central Resource Center, the former school building along Hospital Avenue. There is no charge to attend this worthwhile program. Food and drinks will be provided.
Sheila Roth Solomon, a genetic counselor for many years for the West Penn Allegheny Health System Department of Human Oncology will be one of the quest speakers. She is also the incoming president for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Pittsburgh Affiliate board of directors.
For those not familiar with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Pittsburgh Affiliate raises money for services and programs regarding breast cancer for a 30 county service area in Western and Central Pennsylvania. Representatives from Susan G. Komen for the Cure will also be on hand to answer questions and provide educational materials.
How did the foundation start?
Nancy Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became a reality when Susan G. Komen for the Cure launched a global breast-cancer awareness movement.
Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Susan G. Komen for the Cure promises to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
The organization has created The Komen Race for the Cure, a run/walk event. It is the largest series of its kind and is held in over 100 cities in the U.S. with 75 percent of the local race proceeds remaining in the hosting region.
Another one of its many programs is the Mammogram Voucher Program, or MVP. It provides mammograms and follow-up diagnostic services to medically underserved women.
How is breast cancer prevented?
Because no one knows exactly what causes breast cancer, there are no sure ways to prevent it. However, there are steps that every woman can take that may reduce her risk which include eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
Stom educates women that the best way to find breast cancer in its earliest stages is to practice their A, B, Cs:
Annual mammogram starting at age 40 and continue as long as you are in good health.
Breast self-exam monthly to learn what is normal for you and so that you will notice any changes and report them you your clinician without delay.
Clinical breast exam performed by a health care provider who checks your breasts and underarm areas at least every three years between the ages of 20 and 39 and every year starting at age 40.
Are you at risk?
The most important risk factor is simply being a woman. Some risk factors cannot be controlled while others can be changed. Also, some women may have more than one risk factor yet will never get the disease.
The risks include:
• Being a woman;
• Getting older;
• Having a mutation in the breast cancer genes known as BRCA 1 or BRCA2;
• Having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer;
• Having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer;
• Having high breast density on a mammogram;
• Having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia (the multiplying of cells) or carcinoma in situ (a flat lesion);
• Never having children;
• Having a first child after age 35;
• Radiation exposure or frequent x-rays in youth;
• High bone density;
• Gaining weight after menopause;
• Currently or recently using combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world today and globally, a case of breast cancer is diagnosed every 29 seconds, Stom said. Making sense of the ever-changing world of breast cancer is often overwhelming.
“Whether you are just looking for some information about breast cancer, are newly diagnosed, have a friend or loved one newly diagnosed or just want to know more – we hope you find this awareness program beneficial and will join Breast Care Services and Hahne Regional Cancer Center along with Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Tuesday, March 10 for our Breast Cancer Awareness Program,” Stom said.
For further information please call Sandy at Breast Care Services at 375-4063.