Breast Cancer Awareness 2014
Race for the Cure runners make the turn onto Front Street in Tupelo as they pass the iconic Tupelo Hardware in Downtown.
THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
A pink blur
Annual Komen Race for the Cure slated for Oct. 25 on young participants. DAILY JOURNAL Organizers have created a discounted kids registration Downtown Tupelo will pink for those under 14. The Tout on Oct. 25. shirts are available down to The annual Komen North toddler sizes, so even the Mississippi Race for the Cure stroller set can get their pink will bring thousands together on. for fun, hope and the fight Teams that come together against breast cancer. and raise $1,000 or more will “I love how people come to- be invited to set up in the team gether and support one antailgate area. The area will be other,” said Melonie Kight, open to the public, but only race chairwoman. the teams who met the This year, organizers are fundraising goal will get to set pumping up the fun for the up their own site, Kight said. race. In addition to encouragJust like a football tailgate, ing runners to reveal their how simple or elaborate will inner pink power with crazy be up to the team. The site can costumes, the one-mile fun serve as home base for their run will have an optional obteam – which can be helpful stacle course. for organizing large groups – “We’re adding fun to the fun or a platform to honor breast run,” said Cindy Hale, affiliate cancer survivors coordinator. “They can bring their own The surprises on the fun run tents and set up lights and course, which can be bypassed generators if they want,” she by those who would just like to said. walk, were added with an eye The goal is to bring more BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS
IUKA Discount Drugs 1411 W. Quitman Street • Iuka
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Online registration at www.komennorthms.org • Cost $25 for adults; $15 for 14 and under. Timing chip $5 extra • Team registration ends Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. • Online registration ends Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. Walk-up registration/packet pick up
• Noon-7 p.m. Oct. 22-24 at the Tupelo Convention Visitors Bureau. Registration will be $30 for adults; $25 for 14 and under. Timing chip $5 extra. • Oct. 27 Race Day. Onsite registration will be $35 cash only; no electronic timing available.
than 3,600 people to the Oct. 25 race. So far, registration is ahead of last year, Hale said. “I think people are really getting excited,” she said. The fun has started even before Race Day. Each week the North Mississippi affiliate is recognizing the top individual fundraiser of the week. They get a prize – such as dinner and a movie or gift cards to stores – and recognition on Facebook. “They can win more than once,” Hale said.
This year, the affiliate is striving to raise $65,000 through fundraising in addition to the race entries. Because the need remains great, Hale said.
THE CAUSE
All the fun is focused on serious work – raising money to fight breast cancer in North Mississippi and finding a cure. Seventy-five percent of the money raised through the TURN TO RACE, 2E
It didn’t take long for someone to put a pink cape on the Elvis statue at Fairpark at last year’s event.
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A supplement to the Daily Journal October 1, 2014 Section E
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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
OCTOBER 1, 2014
DAILY JOURNAL
Resources
YEARLY MAMMOGRAMS are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. CLINICAL BREAST EXAMS are recommended about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over. WOMEN SHOULD KNOW HOW their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RECOMMENDS that some women – because of their family history, a genetic tendency or certain other factors – be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. The number of women who fall into this category is small – less than 2 percent of all the women in the United States. Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have
additional tests at an earlier age.
RISK FACTORS
BEING A WOMAN. Men can develop breast cancer, but it is 100 times more common in women. FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER. Having one first-degree relative – mother, sister, daughter – with breast cancer roughly doubles the risk. Having two increases the risk five-fold. GENETICS. BRCA and BRCA2, and several other genetic mutations can increase the risk. PERSONAL HISTORY. If you’ve had breast cancer in one breast, you have a three- to four-fold increased risk of developing a new breast cancer; this is different from recurrence of the first cancer. RACE. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer; but African-American women are more likely to die, in part because they
Women First opens doors, hearts The doors at Women First Resource Center in Tupelo are open to any woman in need. The center started as a home base for a breast cancer support group but has evolved to a broader mission of helping women cope with cancer and other crises. There are little comforts for breast cancer patients like under arm pillows to cushion sites where lymph nodes were removed to check for spreading cancer and aprons to hold drain tubes that are still in place when women go home after breast cancer surgery. There’s a wig boutique where women who have lost hair during cancer treatment can try on different looks until they find the right one and a casserole club. The group also organizes volunteers to assist at Hematology and Oncology of North
Race
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WOMEN FIRST RESOURCE CENTER
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• 215 N. Gloster St., Suite D, Tupelo • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m. to noon Friday. Mississippi at Bridgepoint. The organization hosts a women with cancer support group at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month as well as a fibromyalgia support group. It also shares its meeting spaces with other organizations that need a space. Volunteers help staff the phones and keep the center open 26 hours a week. The center doesn’t charge for services. Funding comes from grants, memorials, donations, gift basket sales and allocations from United Way.
search programs. In April, the affiliate granted out $130,000 to FROM 1E area non-profits to use to help the medically underrace remains in the region, served access mammowhere it primarily is used grams and fund to make mammograms community programs. available for the medically Since the race began in underserved and organize Tupelo in 1999, the North community education pro- Mississippi affiliate has grams. The remaining 25 granted out $1.9 million to percent is used for help the medically underKomen’s well-respected served access mammonational breast cancer re- grams and other diagnostic
tend to have more aggressive tutant mother or a unborn child may mors. slightly increase the risk of breast DENSE BREAST TISSUE has more cancer. glandular tissue and less fatty tissue CHILDBEARING. Not having children or and a higher risk of developing having first child after age 30 seems breast cancer. to slightly raise the risk of breast CERTAIN KINDS OF BENIGN BREAST cancer. Pregnancy reduces the total DISEASE, especially those involving number of lifetime menstrual cycles, excessive growth of cells. which may be the reason for this efMENSTRUAL PERIODS. Women who fect. started periods early – before 12 – or RECENT ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE USE. went through menopause late – after Women using birth control pills have age 55 – have a slightly increased a slightly greater risk of breast canrisk for breast cancer. This may be cer than those who never used them. related to lifetime exposure to horThe risk seems to decline to normal mones. over time once the pills are stopped. PREVIOUS CHEST RADIATION. Women POST-MENOPAUSE HORMONE THERwho received chest radiation as chilAPY. Use of combined hormone therdren or young adults to treat cancer apy has been found to increase the have significantly increased risk for risk of getting breast cancer. The risk breast cancer. It doesn’t appear to inseems to return to normal within five crease the risk for those treated after years of stopping. Short-term use of 40. estrogen-only hormone therapy – DES. EXPOSURE TO DES – given from less than 10 years – does not seem the 1940s to 1960s – as an expecto increase the of developing breast
cancer significantly. NOT BREASTFEEDING. Some studies suggest breastfeeding may lower the risk of breast cancer. ALCOHOL USE. Alcohol is clearly linked to increase risk of developing breast cancer. Risk increases with the amount consumed. Women who consume one alcoholic drink a day have a very small increase. Women who have two to five drinks a day have 11⁄2 times the risk of women who drink no alcohol. BEING OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE. Fat cells can produce estrogen even after your ovaries stop. Excess weight in the waist area may affect risk more than extra weight in the thighs and hips. LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. It’s not clear exactly how much exercise is needed, but evidence that exercise reduces breast cancer risk is growing. Source: American Cancer Society
Help for the fight Through the Breast and Cervical Cancer program, the Mississippi State Department of Health offers access to breast screening and treatment programs for the medically underserved. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, which went into effect in 2001, offers access to screening for women between 50 and 64 who do not have credible health insurance coverage. Women screened through CDC
breast and cervical cancer early detection program and need treatment for breast or cervical cancer can access treatment through Medicaid. The program is funded through federal grants and state matching funds. Younger women who are medically underserved can access breast cancer screening as funding is available from the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
In addition to screening and diagnostic mammograms, the program provides ultrasound and fine-needle biopsy when indicated, follow up and referral for abnormal results and educational programs for professionals and the public. For more information on the cervical cancer screening programs as well as the breast cancer programs, visit healthyms.com or call (800) 721-7222.
Sisters Network strives to educate The Sisters Network is dedicated to bringing the fight against breast cancer out of the shadows in the AfricanAmerican community. The Tupelo chapter of the national breast cancer survivors group hosts a support group, organizes community events and makes resources for mammograms available to the medically underserved. “Our goal is to bring
tests and fund community education programs. They have contributed more than $625,000 to Komen’s national research program. Providing access to mammograms remains vitally important because of the high rate of uninsured in the region. “A lot of people have to choose between groceries this week and getting a mammogram,” Kight said. “We’re able to help fund di-
more survivors and volunteers together and get the word out there,” said Norma Derring, chapter president and breast cancer survivor. “We want them to be very educated about breast cancer.” Sisters Network is the only survivor-run group in the country dedicated to raising awareness of the disease in the AfricanAmerican community. The Tupelo chapter began in 2003, after na-
tional founder Karen Jackson spoke to survivors at a Komen North Mississippi Race for the Cure event, and the Tupelo chapter is among the Race for the Cure grant recipients. Support group meetings are at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of the Month in the Link Centre library in Tupelo. Annually, the chapter hosts a number of events including Pink Ribbon
Luncheon, Gift of Life Block Walk, where volunteers canvass neighbors to promote good health and breast cancer awareness. Although the group targets African-American women, it is open to assisting anyone without health care resources with screening mammograms as funding allows. For more information about Sisters Network, call (662) 842-3440.
Tere Woody shows off who she was running for in last year’s race.
agnostic screening to help further bridge the gap.” Although the 5K race starts in downtown Tupelo’s Fairpark district, the race is truly regional. The funds raised through the race benefit people from Corinth to Columbus, from Fulton to Batesville. Panola County officially joined the affiliate this year, making it a 16county region. michaela.morris@journalinc.com
THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
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American Cancer Society screening suggestions
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
DAILY JOURNAL
OCTOBER 1, 2014
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BY ANGIE BARMER NEW ALBANY GAZETTE
NEW ALBANY – After 37 years of being free from breast cancer, New Albany resident Marjorie Livingston was told the cancer had returned. In 1976, Livingston was living in Richmond, Virginia, and had noticed some type of mass in her left breast. “I noticed something weird, so I went to the doctor the next day and had a mammogram and the doctor saw something small that concerned him,” Livingston said. “The following Monday, I saw the surgeon and he told me, ‘If you have any idea that you may have cancer, act immediately.’” At that time, she had her left breast removed, along with her lymph glands. Livingston has routinely gone to the doctor for her yearly appointment to get her mammogram done. That is how she knew something was wrong. In June 2013, Livingston went to get her annual check up and that’s COURTESY when the doctor told her the Marjorie Livingston was cancer-free for 37 years when she learned her cancer had returned. That’s why breast cancer had come back after she stresses the importance of annual mammograms. being in remission for 37 years.
Last year, she celebrated the Fourth of July in the hospital after recovering from getting her right breast removed. “It’s really pretty neat not to have breasts. You don’t have to wear a bra and clothes fit better; it is not the end of the world to lose both breasts,” said Livingston. Her sister, Evelyn had breast cancer, and her son, Steve, also had it. Her niece had it as well. But before her, no one in her family had ever had breast cancer. “I don’t believe in fooling around with cancer,” Livingston said. “I urge everyone to get their routine mammograms done; it might be slightly uncomfortable, but well worth it and worth every minute. Breast cancer is a very preventable disease, but women need to go see their doctor every year and have a mammogram done. “Breast cancer doesn’t stop coming after a certain age – it came back to me at age 89 after I was in remission for 37 years. Cancer can come back any time and that’s why it’s important to routinely see your doctor every year.”
COURTESY
Myra the Pink Heals fire truck arrives in Pontotoc. WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTSS
Michelle Poole signs Myra in memory of her mother, Myra Poole.
Pink Heals christens ‘Myra’ this year The Pontotoc Pink Heals Chapter now has their own pink truck. PONTOTOC – MissisThanks to a donation sippi’s first Pink Heals from J.R. Bramlett of Illichapter, located in Ponto- nois, a fire truck was dotoc, has been busy shownated and the firefighters ing love and care to those put in the sweat equity to who are hurting. paint the truck. Pink Heals is a group of Pontotoc chartered Misfirefighters who travel the sissippi’s first Pink Heals nation with big pink fire chapter last year and had trucks allowing people to the fire truck, named sign them as a visible sign Myra, on hand to dedicate of hope. just before Mother’s Day Pink represents all this past May. women and their families, In fact, Myra Poole’s not a specific disease. Pink daughter Michelle was the Heals is a program that first woman to sign the brings a community totruck in honor of her gether based on the love of mother on that clear May women, our caregivers. afternoon. These firefighters, Myra Poole, who was dressed in their pink fire the wife of retired Pontogear, volunteer their time toc Police Chief Larry to travel around the Poole, lost her battle to world for six weeks at a cancer Dec. 31, 2008. time, to bring smiles to Since its arrival the truck women who are battling a has made appearances at disease. schools, escorted a cancer REGINA BUTLER
PROGRESS STAFF WRITER
patient’s family to a grave site, and was on hand at the fair and other major events like the Bodock Festival in Pontotoc. In October, Myra will be making some home visits, and will be traveling to Macon and Starkville. If you have any festivals in your local town and would like for Myra to make a visit, contact The Pink Heals Facebook page. Dave Graybill, the founder of Pink Heals, is a retired firefighter from Glendale, Arizona, and is passionate about raising awareness for all cancers. The Pink Heals Tour consists of a group of dedicated firefighters who commit up to 18 days away from their families for free to drive pink fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles across America.
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90-year-old stresses importance of annual mammograms
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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAILY JOURNAL DAILY JOURNAL
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OCTOBER 1, 2014
DAILY JOURNAL
Mobile unit makes mammography more accessible to rural residents BY JOYCE BROCK
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Registered Nurse Amy Michael uses the LPG Endermologie system to treat Ileane McConnell’s breast cancer-related lymphedema at Elite Medical in Tupelo.
Treatments help survivors manage lymphedema
BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL
Photography by Blake/www.blakemc.com
In the battle against breast cancer, the arm can suffer collateral damage. Lymphedema is an often unpredictable side effect of breast cancer surgery. “Lymphedema occurs when there’s a disruption in the lymph system,” said Lydia Thomas, an occupational therapist with North Mississippi Medical Center Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. “It can be caused by surgery or by radiation,” Thomas said. The lymph system is made up of vessels and nodes and plays a role in the body’s immune system. It parallels the vascular system and helps the body move around large particles, fluid and white blood cells. Lymphedema, which isn’t exclusive to breast cancer, can occur in the weeks after surgery or treatment or even years later. “The body can compensate, sometimes for years,” Thomas said, but like an old car struggling up a hill, a compromised lymph system will sometimes give out. Sentinel node biopsy – where lymph nodes are checked systematically and allows the surgeon to preserve those not affected by cancer – has decreased the number of breast cancer survivors who are affected by lymphedema. “It still can occur,” but it does seem to reduce the incidence and severity, said Thomas, who is trained in the Vodder method, considered the gold standard in lymphedema treatment. Treatment has two phases. Manual drainage seeks to move the excessive fluid to the lymph nodes that are still working – for breast cancer patients those are usually in the back and shoulder, Thomas
Amy Michael first opens up the lymph nodes on the back of the shoulder and then does three passes with the LPG machine on the affected arm with different settings. The first pass focuses on softening up the skin, which can become hard with the swelling, with a steady rolling suction. Then another pass with a pulsing massage aims to get the fluid ready to move. The third pass which moves up the arms from the hand pushes the fluid out. said. The goal is to reduce the fluid and the size of the affected limb. Then, patients use fitted compression dressings and taping to keep excess fluid from going back into the limb. Occupational therapists usually teach the person or a family member how to do the manual drainage to help manage the condition long term. “The patient and their family are key to managing the condition,” Thomas said. Ileane McConnell of Tupelo has been battling lymphedema almost as long as she has been battling breast cancer. When she was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer nearly 13 years ago, doctors had to take all the lymph nodes under her left arm, along with her breast, to save her life. While she was in chemotherapy, a small cut to her hand triggered swelling in her arm and hand. “It was hard enough to go through chemotherapy and radiation,” said McConnell, who moved to Tupelo from Eastern Tennessee two years ago. “It can take your hope.”
With the help of rehabilitative therapists, McConnell follows a regimen of manual lymph drainage and uses compression sleeves to address the swelling. She’s gotten new help from Elite Medical in Tupelo and their LPG systems Endermologie, which provides a very efficient, manual drainage of the lymph system in her arm. The system is FDA approved and covered by most insurance for the treatment of lymphedema. “It won’t completely get rid of lymphedema, but it helps with the pain and improves circulation,” said Amy Michael, registered nurse. McConnell has been taking weekly treatments for a month and has seen a lot of improvement. “I was skeptical,” McConnell said. “But after the first treatment, it was remarkable how much better it felt.” Thomas is glad to have the Endermologie therapy available in Tupelo. “It’s a good adjunct therapy,” Thomas said. “It’s been particularly helpful to people with stubborn, chronic lymphedema.”
According to www.cancer.gov, screening mammography helps reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 74. Results from randomized clinical trials have shown that this is especially true for women over 50, according to the website. Little or no benefits have been found for screening mammograms in women under 40, it says. A mammogram is a test in which an X-ray picture of the breast is made. Screening mammograms are mammograms that are performed to check for the possibility of cancer when a woman has no signs or symptoms. Mammograms can detect cancer of the breast earlier than self-performed breast exams or clinical breast exams. Mammograms can also be used as a diagnostic test. In this situation, a mammogram is performed on a COURTESY woman who has shown symptoms of Amy Chisholm, of North Mississippi possible breast cancer or other probMedical Center, is pictured in front of the lems in the breast. They may be performed after a lump is found during a bright pink mobile mammography unit. clinical breast exam or a self breast exam. In this case, they help doctors and works in coordination with staff at get a clearer idea of what is going on that hospital. and provide a more reliable diagnosis. Mammograms are available through Unfortunately, it is sometimes diffiself-referral, meaning that a patient cult for women living in rural areas to can choose to have the test performed. easily access mammograms. Requiring Government agencies and professpecialized equipment, mammograms sional organizations have developed are typically offered only at large or recommendations for who should specialized medical facilities. Until a have screening mammograms and couple of years ago, mammograms when. All of these agencies, though, were not available at any facility in recommend that a woman consult Tippah County. Such is the case with a with her doctor about benefits and number of rural counties in North possible harms of mammography Mississippi. This meant that women in when making this decision. these areas would need to travel Mammography does carry some around 40 miles away to access the limitations and possible risks. Among tests. them are the possibility of false-posiThis changed in Tippah County, and tive or false-negative results, overdiagother rural counties in the area, with nosis and exposure to radiation. the introduction of North Mississippi In October, the mobile mammograMedical Center’s Mobile Mammography unit will visit Tippah County phy Unit. The large mobile unit, deco- Health Services on Wednesday, Oct. 15. rated in pink, contains all of the Other Mississippi locations the unit necessary equipment to perform the will visit in October include: Fulton tests and is staffed by NMMC employ- Medical Clinic, NMMC-Pontotoc, ees. In Tippah County, the unit staNMMC-Eupora, NMMC-Iuka, NMMCtions at Tippah County Health Services Pontotoc and Baldwyn Medical Clinic.
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SOUTHERN SENTINEL
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
DAILY JOURNAL
OCTOBER 1, 2014
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on prevention – those who have never personally experienced breast cancer will certainly find Here’s the thing about breast plenty of good information to cancer survivors: No matter how learn the risks and proper pretheir individual stories unspool, ventative measures – there is all of them share a common also a strong emphasis on thread. pulling together as a commu“We are individuals, but we are nity, about being stronger as a one today,” said Fulton’s Brenda whole than as individual pieces. Bridges, speaking of the annual These events always feature at “Do You Know What the Color least one breast cancer survivor Pink Means?” Breast Cancer as the guest of honor, who Awareness Luncheon. shares her story with the crowd. Despite its complicated name, According to Romona Edge, cothe goal of the program, now in founder of the program, listenits late teens, is pretty simple: ing to these stories always Bring survivors together to share piques emotions. their stories and encourage oth“Some of their stories are just ers to take preventative steps. really amazing,” Edge said. This year’s program is set for “Some of them are sad; some of Thursday, Oct. 23, at noon inthem are kind of funny. But side the Fulton First Baptist there’s something to take away Church’s fellowship hall. The from each one of them.” program is free, open to everyBridges, a breast cancer surone, and lunch will be served. vivor herself, will speak at the There will also be a drawing for event, as will fellow survivor door prizes. Sherry Robinson of Fulton. Both Those who attend the event said they plan to share their stoare encouraged to wear pink to ries in hope of encouraging othshow their support of National ers to get regular breast exams Breast Cancer Awareness and inspiring those who have Month. been diagnosed with breast canWhile the program has a focus cer to remain optimistic. BY ADAM ARMOUR ITAWAMBA COUNTY TIMES
But Robinson wasn’t so sure. “As a nurse, I wasn’t comfortable with that answer,” she said. “I had to have a doctor check.” Her instincts were right. Fourteen years after having her doctor reexamine her mammogram results, Robinson is happy to have asked questions. “You want to trust your doctors and what they tell you,” she said. “But if you suspect something, you should ask.” Just like Bridges, she’s hoping her story, and her advice, will help others in some shape or FILE PHOTO BY ADAM ARMOUR fashion. While cancer is unMore than 100 people, mostly women, attended the 2013 “Do You doubtedly scary, there’s someKnow What the Color Pink Means?” Annual Breast Cancer Aware- thing reassuring about knowing ness Luncheon. The program, now in its 17th year, focuses on pre- that others have faced it and vention and the sharing of survivor stories with others. walked away stronger. “It’s reassuring to hear the “I think the main reason we’re Come October, Bridges will stories of other survivors,” Edge put on earth is to help each have been living cancer-free for said. “You are never alone.” other,” Bridges said when asked five years. It’s what makes sharing their why she agreed to speak. After a Robinson’s story is quite difstories so important. Once untwo-year lapse in her mammoferent. At the age of 35, she disraveled, every survivor’s story is grams, Bridges returned from a covered a pair of painful knots about one thing: checkup with bad news: She was under her arm. After a mammo“Breast cancer survivors have in the early stages of breast can- gram, her radiologist deemed a special bond,” Bridges said. “I cer. Bridges had a lumpectomy, the lumps were benign fluidthink we leave [the luncheon] followed by a mastectomy of the filled cysts. Nothing to worry with long lasting friendships right breast. about. and a sense of hope.”
Hamilton Post Office kicks off awareness month with annual event BY EMILY TUBB MONROE JOURNAL
HAMILTON – This year’s Hamilton Post Office Breast Cancer Stamp Kickoff will hold even more significance for the event’s main organizer, Hamilton Postmaster Twanda Tate, who has been putting together the event for several years now, both in Prairie and Hamilton. “My sister battled breast cancer two times in the past five years and I saw a need. Breast cancer has touched me personally and I just want to do my part,” said Tate, whose sister lost her life on Sept. 8 at age 45 due to complications from breast cancer. This year’s event is Saturday, Oct. 4. It’s the second year this free event is being held at the Hamilton Community Center and, as with previous years, a motorcycle ride will kick off the festivities at 1 p.m. All are invited to join in the ride. Entertainment will be provided by Keith and Margie, Kay Bain, Swing Shift and a few local personalities. Speakers will include breast cancer survivors, who will share their stories, and staff members of Baptist Memorial Hospital–Golden Triangle will hand out information on awareness and detection. Food vendors will sell catfish, polish sausage, turkey legs, snow cones and other concessions. There will also be door prizes. Tate expects the turnout to surpass last year’s event. “We’re expecting it to be just as big as last year, if not bigger. We’ve had a great time educating and bringing
RAY VAN DUSEN
Hamilton Postmaster Twanda Tate stands beside a poster depicting the U.S. Post Office’s breast cancer stamp. The Hamilton Post Office has organized a communitywide event for Saturday, Oct. 4, to spread awareness of the disease. awareness to the public. Everyone’s looking forward to doing it again,” Tate said. The event is free to all, but all are encouraged to donate to breast cancer awareness by purchasing at least one sheet of breast cancer stamps. “The sheets are $12 each and, out of that, $2.20 is put toward breast cancer research,” Tate said. Known as “the stamp that makes a difference,” the breast cancer stamp has raised more than $78.7 million since it was originally issued in July 1998. It was the first semipostal, or charity stamp, issued in U.S. history. By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health, and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense,
according to the U.S. Postal Service. As per 2014 statistics regarding breast cancer, the American Cancer Society reports it as the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. Approximately 12 percent of women, or one in every eight women in the nation, will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. Roughly 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year. About 62,570 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed. CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer, and approximately 40,000 women will die from breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Mammograms making a difference BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL
Breast cancer screening isn’t just for people who have it in the family. “Eighty percent of new breast cancers are diagnosed in people who don’t have a significant family history,” said Tupelo radiologist Dr. Susan Shamburger, who specializes in breast imaging. “Don’t let that keep you from getting screened.” Regular mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, but they give women the best chance to catch it early. “If you find it early, the treatment is easier and you have a higher chance of a cure,” Shamburger said. There’s no debate about the benefit of mammography for women 50 to 69. Regular screening mammograms clearly reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer, but there have been differing recommendations for women 40 to 49 and the frequency of the screening. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed its recommendation for screening mammograms to start at 50 and repeat every other year. Women 40 to 49 should consult with their physician about their individual risk to make a decision. The American College of Radiology, American Cancer Society and Komen for the Cure Foundation have continued to recommend women have annual mammograms starting at age 40. “I still think it’s best to do it yearly,” said Tupelo radiologist Dr. Mike Currie. “When you catch a cancer, you’ve caught it a little bit quicker.” Shamburger also still recommends monthly self-breast exams, which the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force doesn’t advocate. “You need to know what your lumps and bumps feel like,” Shamburger said. Not every abnormal finding on a mammogram is cancer. Roughly one in 10 women will have an abnormal mammogram that requires further screening. Other imaging studies may be able to rule out some findings, Currie said. At biopsy, roughly 1 in four suspicious sites is determined to be malignant.
HIGH RISK
Under the American College of Radiology guidelines, some women should begin screening before age 40. Women who test positive for BRCA-1 or -2 mutations should start being screened around age 30 with both mammogram and MRI. Women with strong family histories of breast cancer or those who received chest radiation to treat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma also should begin screenings earlier than 40, but no earlier than 25. Those who have been diagnosed with atypical cell growth in their breasts and certain genetic syndromes also fall under the early screening recommendations. Women who’ve had any breast or ovarian cancer should be screened for the rest of their lives, too, Shamburger said. When using MRI as a screening tool, it’s important to chose a medical imaging center that can also perform a biopsy to avoid having to repeat the MRI.
ON THE HORIZON
Radiologists are looking closely at tomosynthesis, a form of mammography that gathers multiple views in one sitting. It creates a 3-D image. It uses more radiation than the very low dose of digital mammogram, but is still within the guidelines for mammography. A study published this summer in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows promise, but not yet enough information to suggest it should replace mammograms for general population screening. It is not widely available. “It’s a little more accurate, but it’s more expensive,” Currie said. Insurance coverage is still evolving, and medical imaging clinics are still watching to see if the advantages justify the expense. The goal with preventive screening is finding invasive disease and reducing false positives while limiting any possible harm. “The thing we know now is that it does decrease the need for additional films,” Shamburger said.
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Fulton breast cancer luncheon set for Oct. 23
| OCTOBER 1, 2014
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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