An insidious disease plagues U.S. women. Every year, approximately 175,000 women nationwide learn they have it, and approximately 43,000 die. Few stricken with the disease have obvious risk factors, and every woman, especially as she grows older, is a potential target.
The disease, breast cancer, is the most common cancer in women, and kills more California women ages 35-54 than any other cause. But there is hope. This devastating affliction usually responds to treatment if caught before the cancer has spread. In fact, 97 percent of women whose cancer is caught in the earliest stages survive.
During October's observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the public health community comes together to celebrate breast cancer survivorship and increase awareness about breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection. As a result of such awareness efforts, far more women are getting screened today (the mammography rate has increased 36 percent since 1988), and are detecting their cancers early enough to win their battles with the disease.
You can do your part by getting involved in local events benefitting breast cancer programs. Many localities will be holding walkathons for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Teachers are encouraged to form teams of walkers at school. In addition to raising funds for the American Cancer Society's breast cancer research, education and patient service programs, such events raise awareness about the disease.
If shopping is your favorite activity, you can benefit ACS breast cancer programs by attending this year's Harvest Festival, an arts and crafts shopping extravaganza held at convention centers around the state. A portion of the proceeds will go to ACS.
You can also do your part by getting screened or encouraging your friends and family to do so. The ACS is looking for organizations as well as individuals to become partners in the Tell a Friend program, which trains volunteers in ways that are effective in getting women to go for a check-up.
The ACS recommends the following guidelines: All women over the age of 20 should perform a breast self-examination every month. Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast examination by a health professional every three years. Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram and a breast exam every year.
For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Tell a Friend, or early detection programs, call (800) ACS-2345 or visit the society's Web site [www.cancer.org]. On the Web site, click on "Making Strides" and then "Calendar of Events" to get information specific to California.
