Aware 2019

Aware

breast cancer awareness 2019

A special publication of the Andalusia Star-News

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

But, there’s more to fighting cancer than awareness.

A mammogram is a simple, routine screening that helps detect breast cancer.

If you’re 40 or over, the American Cancer Society recommends scheduling one every year. So step beyond awareness and start enjoying the peace-of-mind an annual screening brings.

For the month of October 2019, Andalusia Health will be offering self-pay patients screening mammograms at a lower cost: Screening Mammogram $50.00 Radiology Reading Fee $10.00

Please call 334-428-7165 to schedule your mammogram today.

AndalusiaHealth.com

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Feature #1

Feature #2

Inside the Issue

She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.

Nearly all of us know someone who has battled breast cancer, whether it’s a loved one, a friend, colleague or a fellow church member.

In fact, it is expected that 232,670 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and some 40,000 will die this year from the disease.

Being aware of breast cancer and educating yourself on the symptoms, family history and more can help save your life.

In this issue of Aware, we share information about proactive measures women (and men) can take to detect breast cancer.

You’ll find out that early detection is the key to combating and defeating this horrible disease.

Early detection is vital with statistics pointing out that 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer

over the course of her lifetime.

Breast cancer kills more women than any other cancer, with the exception of lung cancer. Nearly 30 percent of cancers in women are breast cancers.

White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than black women.

Still, breast cancer is more common in black women under 45, and black women are more likely to die of breast cancer.

In addition to early detection, women should know their family’s history.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

We also tell the story of triumph of two amazing women, Jule Pumphrey and Kay Donaldson.

We hope this issue provides you with information to continue the fight to save those tatas!

Feature #3

Kendra Majors publisher Andi Shepard creative director Ruck Ashworth ad manager Chris Halford circulation manager Jill Prevett ad sales Christopher Smith news editor

Lisa Eisenberger bookkeeping

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What is

BREAST CANCER?

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

In 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. as well as 62,930 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.

62 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the 5-year survival rate is 99 percent This year, an estimated 41,760 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S. Although rare, men get breast cancer too. The lifetime risk for U.S. men is about 1 in 1,000.

An estimated 2,670 men will be diagnosed with breast

cancer this year in the United States and approximately 500 will die.

1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers.

There are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

Female breast cancer represents 15.2 percent of all new cancer cases in the U.S.

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Jule

PUMPHREY

BUG BITE

saves

WOMAN’S LIFE An area woman credits what seemed like an insect bite to saving her life.

Jule Pumphrey said that in August 2007, she was on a business trip to Ohio when she was unpacking at a hotel and felt something that seemed like an insect bite.

“My first instinct was to reach around to scratch and found a knot about the size of an English pea,” she said. “I thought to myself, ‘Dang, that bug put a hurting on me.’ But I pushed it out of my mind. I thought to myself, ‘If it didn’t go away in a week, I will go get it checked out.’”

A week later, she said, the knot was larger.

She said the doctor didn’t think there was anything to it, but her family had a history – her mother had breast cancer twice and both of her sisters had it.

At the time, Pumphrey was 34, with a 15-year-old and 12-year-old daughters.

“I was too young to have breast cancer, right?” she said. “It was just that dang Ohio bug that bit me.”

A week passes and the knot got even bigger, she said.

“It’s safe to say, I’m scared at this point,” she said. “Several years before this, I was diagnosed with fibrocystic disease and have to have a mammogram, nothing major, it just feels like grainy spider webs and can be uncomfortable at times. I had to have another mammogram and an ultrasound had to be performed.”

Pumphrey said that during the ultrasound, the tech stopped and went to get the doctor.

“OK, I was a little scared; now, I’m freaking out,” she said. “The doctor

came in and performed his own scan. His face didn’t seem reassuring and thanked me for coming in.

He was on the phone with a local surgeon before I could get dressed.”

Pumphrey said when she came out of the room, the doctor told her to go straight to the surgeon to get a biopsy done.

“Wait, what?” she said.

“Isn’t that where they poke you with a huge needled?

The biopsy was performed, and I would have the results in three days. Those long three days have passed and the results are in: I have breast cancer.

The emotions I had were indescribable.

It’s a stage three, very fast-growing and aggressive cancer.”

Pumphrey said that after the initial shock wore off, it dawned on her that God had sent the bug to bite her on the very spot that she had cancer on to show her.

“We serve an awesome God,” she said.

After every treatment she said she would go back to Montgomery to get a shot called neulasta to keep her white cell count boosted.

“It took me a week to get over the muscle aches and the nausea,” she said.

“It made me feel like I had the flu for a solid week. I wondered if I would ever be able to eat without my mouth burning. I still had two surgeries to go but I had no doubt God was with me. He had been there since the very beginning. My last chemo treatment was Feb. 29, 2008. eight

My hair came back thick and curly where it was thin and straight before.

God knows exactly how many hairs we have on our head, I’m special. He got to count mine twice.”

She’s been in remission going on 12 years.

“What an awesome God we serve,” she said. “I’ve went through LPN school and RN school. I’m currently an RN working at Evergreen Medical Center in the ER. I love my job. I know that every day I step into the hospital, I will touch a life or a life will touch mine.”

Pumphrey said she has empathy for her patients when they learn they have cancer.

“I’ve been there, I know what they’re going through, and I can help them cope,” she said. “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. There’s a blessing in everything. God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness.”

All Things

WIGS If you’re facing hair loss or thinning hair because your treatment for breast cancer includes chemotherapy, whole brain radiation, or tamoxifen, you may be curious about trying out a wig.

Wigs can conceal hair loss and — depending on the style, length, and color you choose — help you look more like you did before treatment or provide a whole new look. They can also protect your scalp from the sun and from cold air.

Many women find that wearing a wig gives them a sense of normalcy and consistency during cancer treatment. A wig can also provide some privacy in that it may prevent people from asking questions about your appearance and diagnosis. Some like to experiment and have fun with different wig styles and colors, or to alternate wearing a wig and other head coverings, such as hats, turbans, or scarves.

Not sure if a wig is right for you or where to begin looking for one? On this page, you can learn about where to buy a wig or get one for free, how to choose one that suits you, how to care for a wig, and more.

Where to get a wig How do you find a wig? There are a number of options: · At a wig shop. You can get recommendations for local wig shops or specialists through breast cancer organizations, your hospital’s cancer center, or through your hairdresser. Some wig specialists come to your home to provide additional privacy.

Locally wigs may be purchased at CareMed, Milan Hair Collection, Mo Mo Fashion and Beauty Supply, to name a few. · Online. Like most things nowadays, you can shop for a wig online. Online retailers have a large selection of wigs in every color, length, and style. Some offer consultations over the phone or via email to help you find the right style for you. This can also be a good option if you’d prefer more privacy when selecting your wig. ·Through a charity program. Instead of shopping for a wig (and possibly getting reimbursed for some or all of the cost through your health insurance company), you may want to look into getting a wig for free through programs of the American Cancer Society or other no profit organizations (see “Covering the cost of a wig” below for more info).

Wherever you decide to shop for a wig, be sure to find out about return and exchange policies in advance. You may want to try on several wigs at home and return some of them, or you may decide after trying some on that you don’t want to opt for a wig at all. So, it’s useful to know if there will be restocking fees or other limitations on returns.

How to prepare for a wig If you think you might want to get a wig, it’s helpful to take some steps to prepare before you start chemotherapy or another treatment that may cause hair loss. For example: · Find or take a couple of pictures of your preferred hairstyle. · Cut your hair short. It’s less traumatic to lose short clumps of hair than long ones, and it’s easier to fit a wig over less hair.

Consider picking out a wig before you start a treatment that can cause hair loss. You’ll have more energy, and you can get used to wearing the wig in trial sessions, alternating with your own hair.

Choosing a wig Here’s how to select a wig that fits well, is high quality, and suits you: · First, measure your head with a cloth measuring tape to deter mine your “cap size.”

Decide if you’d like a wig that’s similar in color and style to your own hair, or if you want a different look.

Consider choosing a color that is somewhat lighter than your own hair. Your skin color may be off during chemotherapy — grayish, greenish, or yellowish. Less contrast is generally more flattering, and won’t call attention to your complexion.

Determine if you want a wig that’s made out of a synthetic fiber, human hair, or a mixture of both. Most women choose synthetic wigs. They look and feel good, need very little attention and care, and are moderately priced ($30 to $500). A wig made of real human hair could cost between $800 and $3,000, or more, and it requires more care than you give your own hair. · Go for the best-quality, most natural-looking wig you can afford. Key features that make a wig look realistic are a lace front and a monofilament part or top. In a lace front wig, each hair in the front of the wig is individually tied to a sheer mat rial, creating the appearance of a natural hairline. Monofil ment tops or parts make the top of the wig look realistic and are made by tying or sewing the hair in sections into the top portion of the cap, which is made from a fine, sheer material. ten

Covering the cost of a wig Many health insurance companies cover part or all of the cost of the wig if your doctor writes a prescription. A wig is, after all, a remedy for a treatment side effect, just as important as medication you take to treat nausea. Here are the steps to take if you want to try to get your insurance to pay for your wig: · Before purchasing a wig, call your health insurance company and ask if they will cover a “cranial prosthesis” for hair loss related to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

If so, ask what is the maximum cost they will cover, what paperwork you will need to submit your claim (including details on what the prescription from your doctor needs to say), and how long it will take to get reimbursed. · In most cases, you will have to pay for your wig upfront and then get reimbursed after you submit a claim to your insurance company. Typically, you’ll need to send your insurance company a prescription from your doctor for a “cranial prosthesis” or a “hair prosthesis” (with a cancer diagnosis code), the receipt for the wig (with the wig company’s tax ID number), and a completed insurance claim form. Some wig providers and hospital centers will handle the insurance claim for you and won’t require you to pay upfront. · Keep a copy of your receipt if you end up paying for all or part of your wig out of pocket. It might be a medical expense that you can take as a tax deduction.

If you don’t have coverage or would prefer not to go through the process of filing an insurance claim, keep in mind that the American Cancer Society and a number of other organizations offer free or reduced cost wigs to people undergoing cancer treatment. You can find out about options for getting a free wig by searching online, contacting your local chapter of the American Cancer Society, or contacting the social workers at your local cancer center.

Kay

DONALDSON FEATURE #3

Early Detection SAVED HER LIFE Opp’s Kay Donaldson credits routinely getting a mammogram with saving her life.

Ten years ago, Donaldson went to her regularly scheduled mammogram and found out she had breast cancer.

“I had clear mammograms every year without fail,” she said. “I never missed one.”

In 2009, the mammogram found cancer that was not yet invasive. “It has not broken through the milk ducts,” she said.

Donaldson said she had level zero Ductal Carcinoma. “The tumor was like little sprinkles of sand,” she said. “I had that and radiation. Since they could not get clear margins, I had a mastectomy and reconstruction.”

Donaldson said finding out you have breast cancer and going through the process is probably one of the worst things emotionally.“No one is prepared for that,” she said. “It’s something that happens to everybody else. I had to go through a lot of surgery. It takes a long time to get everything done. Getting through the emotional part you have cancer. You are going to have to go through that.”

Donaldson said that then she got angry and realized that she could get through this.“Then I met some women that were a lot worse than me,” she said. “When I was at UAB, I saw what other women are having to face. So, blessed that I didn’t have to go through a lot of what other women go through. I was blessed.

The emotional pain was worse than the physical. It’s devastating.”

Donaldson said she had a great support system. She said the best advice she can give to other women is not to skip

mammograms. “It saved my life,” she said. “When they found mine it had not broken through the milk ducts. The best advice I can give is to do your checkups.

Your survival rate is so high.”

She said she has a friend who is currently going through chemotherapy. “If you have cancer, you need support,” she twelve

said. “You really have to have walked in their shoes to understand. But it’s not a death sentence. I know there are still women, who lose their lives, but you do check-ups and you do your mammogram. “

Fund

THE CAUSE

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the U.S. Postal Service is reminding customers they can help fund the cause by purchasing the Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Stamp.

These 65-cent self-adhesive semipostal stamps are available year-round in sheets of 20 to help raise funds for breast cancer research. The amount the Postal Service contributes to breast cancer research is determined by the difference between the 65cent purchase price and the First-Class Mail rate in effect at the time of purchase, minus any costs incurred by USPS. The distribution of the Postal Service contribution is specified by law, with 70 percent given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense. More than one billion stamps have been sold since its inception in 1998, raising more than $87.8 million for breast cancer research.

The Breast Cancer Research Stamp was the first semipostal stamp in U.S. history. In 1997, Congress authorized it for the specific purpose of raising funds from the American public to assist in finding a cure for breast cancer.

Designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, md, the stamp features the phrases, “Fund the Fight” and “Find a Cure” and an illustration of a mythical “goddess of the hunt” by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore.

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