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Discussing
Breast Cancer With Others Could Save
Someone’s Life
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by:
ARA
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(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 tips to young 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
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