Representatives from Lakes Regional Healthcare and the American Cancer Society educated local Rotarians with a program on Breast Cancer Awareness on October 21, 2009.
 

Jessica Fastert and Tia Ten Napel from Lakes Regional Healthcare shared statistics, warning signs and prevention methods with Rotarians. Some of the information shared included:

  • All women are at risk despite family history
  • 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer
  • 1 in 1000 men will develop breast cancer (22% die as they wait too long to have it checked)
  • Women ages 20-35 should do a monthly self exam and a have clinical exam every 3 years
  • Women ages 35-39 should do a monthly self exam, an annual clinical exam and have a baseline mammogram done
  • Women ages 40+ should do a monthly self exam and have an annual mammogram
  • Men who have had an estrogen treatment due to prostate cancer are at a higher risk for breast cancer

Jessica and Tia also talked about the two types of mammograms - conventional (film) and digital. LRH has recently gone to all digital technology. LRH also offers email reminders. Simply sign up at lakeshealth.org to receive monthly self exam reminders and annual clinical reminders.

Dana Kauffman with the American Cancer Society also spoke. She talkes about the following programs:

  • Reach to Recovery - a cancer survivor is partnered with a currently diagnosed person for support (hospital can set up if requested)
  • Look Good, Feel Good Program (coming soon) which offers a basket of products to cancer/chemo patients to help people going through treatments
  • Brochures, kits, etc - all offered free of charge
  • Cancer Resource Network - 1-800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org - offers information, day-to-day help and emotional support to cancer patients and families 24 hours a day

Last year the American Cancer Society spent more in breast cancer research than another other cancer - more than $388 million.