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Discussing
Breast Cancer with Others Could Save Someone’s
Life |
by:
ARA |
(ARA)
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of
death for women ages 40 to 59. This year
alone, more than 200,000 women will be diagnosed
with the disease. Another 40,000 will die
from it. Even though early detection is
critical to survival and every woman is
at risk for developing the disease, new
research shows the vast majority of women
do not discuss this issue with each other.
According to a recent survey commissioned
by WHEATABLES Crackers and the Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, there is
a startling lack of dialogue among women
about breast cancer risk and the importance
of early detection. Sixty-five percent of
women report they never or infrequently
discuss breast cancer risk even though almost
half report having a close personal experience
(self, family or close friend diagnosed)
with the disease. Seventy-three percent
of mothers surveyed reported they never
or hardly ever discuss breast cancer, breast
self-exams or mammograms with their daughters
or granddaughters and 67 percent of the
women surveyed said the same about their
mothers or stepmothers.
“These findings are astounding particularly
because one in eight women are expected
to develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
Communication and conversation are critical
to understanding the importance of early
detection and adopting positive breast health
practices,” said Susan Braun, president
and CEO of the Komen Foundation.
In response, WHEATABLES Crackers and the
Komen Foundation have launched a public
education initiative to encourage women
to talk about breast cancer. Called “Talk
About Breast Cancer - It’s a Conversation
Worth Having,” the initiative is designed
to help women -- and those who love them
-- get the conversation going.
Special WHEATABLES Crackers packaging carries
pink Ribbons for Life and conversation starter
tips, including:
* Make a monthly calendar note to call your
mother, aunt, sister or daughter with a
reminder to conduct a breast self-exam.
* Enclose a note and a pink ribbon in birthday
cards to female friends 40 years of age
or older, reminding them to have a mammogram.
* Ask your doctor about breast health activities
at every appointment. Don’t wait for the
doctor to ask you.
* Send a care package with how-to Free Online Tipsng women at college or away from home;
once a woman turns 20, she should begin
conducting monthly breast self-exams and
have a doctor or nurse examine her breasts
every three years.
* Develop a “buddy” system with friends.
Ask them to remind you regularly about breast
health activities and do the same for them.
* Share a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa and
breast cancer facts with a friend: Breast
cancer is the number one killer of women
between the ages of 40 and 59; the majority
of women who develop breast cancer had no
family history of the disease; if breast
cancer is detected early, a woman’s chances
of survival improve significantly.
“Regular discussions that encourage breast
health activities like monthly breast self-exams,
annual clinical breast exams and mammograms
can make a very real difference,” said Jenny
Enochson, spokesperson for WHEATABLES Crackers.
“That’s why we’re so committed to getting
the conversation going.”
WHEATABLES Crackers will donate $5.00 to
the Komen Foundation for every five ribbons
clipped from its special packaging and sent
in by customers. For more information about
the campaign, log onto www.ribbonsforlife.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Bandoni
Media
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