Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Known nationwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is a great time to spread awareness and talk about the impact of this disease.

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge is here to help those living with all types of cancer, all year long.

This information was provided to Cancer Services by Sandra Christal, a breast cancer survivor and longtime volunteer with Susan G. Komen, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge and Sisters Supporting Sisters.

IMPACT OF BREAST CANCER

-A woman dies because of breast cancer every 69 seconds somewhere in the world … but the really good news is that there are approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors alive today.

-In the U.S., approximately 40,000 people die every year from breast cancer … that’s about the same as the number of people who die in all traffic/highway crashes in America. And, about 200,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer annually.

-Louisiana leads the nation in breast cancer deaths. African American women are often diagnosed at a later stage in the disease than other ethnic groups.

-Men can get breast cancer, about 2000 die every year from the disease.

-Early detection is the most important factor in the cure rate for breast cancer. Approximately 90% of cases have no genetic or family link.

Our partner, Komen for the Cure, urges 4 steps for breast self awareness:

1. Know your risk

a. Talk to your family to learn about your family health history

b. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

a. Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk

b. Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at an average risk

c. Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you

a. See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

i. Lump, hard knot or thickening

ii. Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening

iii. Change in the size or shape of breast

iv. Dimpling or puckering of the skin

v. Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple

vi. Pulling in of your nipple or other parts

vii. Nipple discharge that starts suddenly

viii. New pain in one spot that does not go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

a. Maintain a healthy weight

b. Add exercise into your routine

c. Limit alcohol intake

History of Cancer Services

Cancer Services is often confused with the American Cancer society, and while the two organizations have a small shared history and similar names, it’s important to know the difference. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. As significant as research is, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge’s mission is to improve the lives of those living with cancer. We hope for the day we have to close our doors because research and medicine has eliminated cancer, we are here in the meantime for those people who are currently living with, through and beyond cancer, as well as for their friends and family members.

Cancer Services began as a local affiliate of the American Cancer Society in 1949, funded by the Community Chest (later the United Givers' Fund, now known as Capital Area United Way). Ten years later in 1959 the American Cancer Society asked its local affiliates to withdraw from the United Givers' Fund in order to conduct annual fund-raising efforts in support of national cancer research. While recognizing the importance of research, members of the Board of Directors voted to continue fulfilling the agency's original mission of providing programs and services for local cancer patients.

Today we still proudly maintain our relationship with the Capital Area United Way, and are still providing programs and services for local cancer patients and adapting to meet their changing needs as research and medicine continually improve the landscape of cancer survivorship.

So, until there’s a cure, there’s Cancer Services.

Think Before You Pink

October is breast cancer awareness month and stores and websites have filled their shelves and pages with a myriad of pink items to benefit breast cancer research, awareness, patients and survivors. Purchasing these items can be a great way to show your support for those in your life that are living with cancer but there is concern about the legitimacy of some of these products and how much actually benefits the charities they claim to help.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people to ask questions before buying products linked to breast cancer awareness groups. They suggest the following tips for consumers interested in learning how their pink ribbon product purchases will benefit charity.

• Inspect the product itself for information. Many companies clearly report how much of their sales go to charity and specifically where the money goes.
• Check the company’s website. If the information isn’t on the product itself, it often can be found via the website printed on the product packaging.
• If you still can’t find the information, call the company and ask for it. Firms that use charity tie-ins to market their products should be transparent to consumers.
• Contact the charity directly if you have doubts they are receiving proceeds.
• Check out the charity to decide whether you believe it is worthy of your support. One way to do this is by contacting the BBB to determine whether the charity meets the BBB’s Standards for Accountability. You may reach the BBB by going to www.bbb.org or by calling 314-645-3300.

Think Before You Pink™, a project of Breast Cancer Action, launched in 2002 in response to the growing concern about the number of pink ribbon products on the market. The campaign calls for more transparency and accountability by companies that take part in breast cancer fundraising, and encourages consumers to ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions.

P.S. If you want to be sure that your dollars are going to stay in this community and directly help those living with breast cancer and all other cancers, consider donating to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge. For more information call 225-927-2273 or visit our website.