Breast Cancer Awareness 2011 by Sequim Gazette

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2011

A Celebration of Education

AWARENESS • EDUCATION • EMPOWERMENT HELPING WOMEN OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES OF BREAST CANCER

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011

Olympic View Publishing Co. LLC P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382 Phone: (360) 683-3311 • FAX: (360) 683-6670 “National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011” is a special section of the Sequim Gazette. © 2011 by Olympic View Publishing Co. LLC. Publisher: Sue Ellen Riesau General Manager: Steve Perry • Special Sections Editor: Patricia Morrison Coate Section Coordinator: Julie Speelman • Publication Design: Mary Field

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How to perform a breast self-exam Beginning in their 20s, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of breast self-exam (BSE). Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any new breast changes to a health professional as soon as they are found. Finding a change in the breast does not necessarily mean there is a cancer. A woman can notice changes by being aware of how her breasts normally look and feel, and by feeling her breasts for changes (breast awareness), or by choosing to use a step-by-step approach (see below) and using a specific schedule to examine her breasts.

HOW TO EXAMINE YOUR BREASTS • Lie down and place your right arm behind your head. The exam is done while lying down, not standing up. This is because when lying down the breast tissue spreads evenly over the chest wall and is as thin as possible, making it much easier to feel all the breast tissue. • Use the finger pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in the right breast. Use overlapping dime-sized circular motions of the finger pads to feel the breast tissue. • Use three different levels of pressure to feel all the breast tissue. Light pressure is needed to feel the tissue closest to the skin; medium pressure to feel a little deeper; and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal. If you’re not sure how hard to press, talk with your doctor or nurse. Use each pressure level to feel the breast tissue before moving on to the next spot. • Move around the breast in an up and down pattern starting at an imaginary line drawn straight down your side from the underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of the sternum or breastbone. Be sure to check the entire breast area going down until you feel only ribs and up to the neck or collar bone. There is some evidence to suggest that the up-and-down pattern (sometimes called the vertical pattern) is the most effective pattern for covering the entire breast, without missing any breast tissue. • Repeat the exam on your left breast, using the finger pads of the right hand. • While standing in front of a mirror with your hands pressing firmly down on your hips, look at your breasts for any changes of size, shape, contour, dimpling, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin. • Examine each underarm while sitting up or standing and with your arm only slightly raised so you easily can feel in this area. Raising your arm straight up tightens the tissue in this area and makes it harder to examine. This procedure for doing a breast self-exam is different than in previous recommendations. These changes represent an extensive review of the medical literature and input from an expert advisory group. There is evidence that this position (lying down), area felt, pattern of coverage of the breast and use of different amounts of pressure increase a woman’s ability to find abnormal areas. Courtesy of the American Cancer Society

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National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011

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Improving quality of life

The mission of the Olympic Medical Center Foundation is simple: to improve the quality of patients’ lives. OMC is one of the best rural hospitals in the nation and as such relies on the dedication of many volunteers of the foundation. This has become particularly true during the recent economic uncertainties affecting many of us. The foundation has been fortunate – over the past several years the foundation’s endowment has increased to more than $1 million. In addition, the foundation gives yearly donations to provide state-of-the-art equipment, services and programs for patients. One of Olympic Medical Center’s most critical services is Olympic Medical Cancer Center. Our small, rural community is fortunate to have such a wide array of cancer treatment options under one roof – nearly eliminating the need for patients to travel outside of the area for treatment. Another aspect of the cancer center’s continued growth and success is its affiliation with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. This essential partnership offers significant advantages, such as access to clinical trials, experimental medications, quarterly lecture sessions and other valuable services. The investments made by local businesses, as well as individuals, have been invaluable in supporting this world-class cancer center. Olympic Medical Cancer Center is serving more patients than ever, and provides the latest in cancer technologies and treatment options. On average the cancer center treats 60 new patients a month. The radiation oncology department performs on average 660 treatments per

month, and the medical onc oncology department provides approximately 550 infusion services per month. We have two radiation radi oncologists, two medical oncologists, and a certified physician assistant. Olympic Medical Cancer Cance Center made a significant investment in 2011, installing the most advanced linear accelerator available – the Varian Truebeam. This system offers a radically different approach to treating cancer with image guided radiotherapy. It delivers more powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision. It is now possible for us to deliver radiation cancer treatments more quickly, while compensating for tumor motion. This incredible piece of equipment benefits patients and will undoubtedly help save lives. The Olympic Medical Center Foundation offers several ways to support local cancer patients and facilities. The 9th annual Harvest of Hope wine and dinner gala will be held Saturday October 22, 2011 at the SunLand Golf & Country Club in Sequim. The gala’s theme is “An Evening in Australia,” and will include a four-course dinner, live auction and raffle drawings. All net proceeds raised will benefit local cancer patients. Individual tickets are $125. Other donor opportunities through the OMC Foundation include personalized brick pavers, benches or room naming rights. Donations of cash, stocks and planned gifts can be directed to the department of your choice. For more information about the upcoming Harvest of Hope gala or other donor opportunities through the Olympic Medical Center Foundation please call Sara Maloney, Associate Executive Director, at 582-5571 or visit the website at www. omhf.org.

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We’re not stopping yet! Join us at your Sequim Safeway store for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

3rd Annual Sequim Breast Cancer Walk Saturday, October 22nd Dogs are Welcome

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National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011

A COMPLETE CIRCLE OF

At Olympic Medical Center, you can be confident that our breast cancer patients are not just numbers. The medical team treats each case with individualized care and offers the best advantages possible for winning the battle. All elements of breast cancer care are taken into consideration at Olympic Medical Center, and each stage from diagnosis to survivorship programs is implemented with one thing in mind — the patient.

THE DIGITAL TAKE The first step in breast cancer care is making a quick and accurate diagnosis. When breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, up to 94 percent of women remain cancerfree five years after diagnosis. Mammograms, though, aren’t something many women look forward to. The digital mammography program provides accurate information coupled with a comfortable design. The flat plates used to compress a patient’s breast are now flexible to contour more to fit the body’s natural shape, and the top plate releases instantly after the exposure is taken. The technologist screens two different views of the breast at once and sees images immediately to ensure each image captures the necessary areas. “Most patients are frightened by suspicious mammograms,” says Deby King, director of diagnostic imaging at Olympic Medical. “Our technologists take the extra step to be empathetic with patient anxieties, specifically in scheduling necessary follow-up appointments with minimal turnaround.” Diagnostic imaging at Olympic Medical also includes stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsies, in which a needle inserted into the breast extracts a sample of the suspicious lesion detected by the mammogram, so it can be evaluated by the Olympic Medical pathology department. The recently launched magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) breast program provides women with known breast cancer or those at a high risk of developing the disease access to highly detailed diagnostic imaging and biopsy procedures, previously available only outside of the north Olympic Peninsula.

THE NEXT GENERATION The cancer center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to make each patient’s treatment shorter and more effective. Since April, radiation oncologists have used the TrueBeam to target cancer with precise accuracy and prevent radiation exposure to surrounding, unaffected tissue. Featuring a design that corresponds with the focus on patient safety at Olympic Medical, the system includes a central, fully digital control station and automatic repositioning as the patient’s body shifts. The TrueBeam system also performs respiratory gating, a therapy particularly beneficial for breast cancer treatment. Since a tumor in the breast can move as a woman breathes, radiation during gating synchronizes with a woman’s breathing pattern so that treatment targets the tumor when it is ideally positioned.

PARTNERS IN YOUR CARE The battle against cancer doesn’t end with treatment. The cancer center has many partnerships in the community and offers services at the center to help survivors adjust to life after treatment. Post treatment, women may experience lymphedema, a condition in which the removal of the lymph nodes decreases the body’s ability to drain fluid from its tissues. Certified lymphedema therapists on staff with Olympic Medical Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation treat patients with effective hands-on therapy, therapy education and exercise during up to hour-long sessions. The cancer center patient navigator provides assistance throughout a woman’s treatment, facilitating appointments and connections to numerous support groups. Olympic Medical also partners with the Clallam County Family YMCA for a 12-week exercise program tailored to cancer survivors’ needs. “We have taken a comprehensive perspective from programming to technology and therapy,” says Ken Berkes, director of Olympic Medical Cancer Center. “Any woman with a diagnosis of breast cancer should feel confident that she receives the very best care, close to home.”

To learn more about cancer care at Olympic Medical Cancer Center, visit www.OMCforhope.com.

In HONOR of my baby sister Brenda - SURVIVOR R In HONOR of all survivors In MEMORY of all those who have lost their lives to this disease

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National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011 breast, is one of the best tools available for the early detection of breast cancer. It CANNOT cause cancer to spread, nor can the pressure put on the breast from the mammogram. Do not let tales of other people’s experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician’s recommendation and be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

BREAST CANCER

Myths

Don’t let yourself be a victim of misinformation and the myths generated by fear.

THE MYTH

BREAST CANCER MYTHS

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it. The Truth: While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis or starting at age 35.

THE MYTH Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer. The Truth: If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign or not cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor and scheduling regular mammograms.

THE MYTH Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent breast cancer. The Truth: While alterations in these genes in men and women can predispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5 percent to 10 percent of patients actually have this mutation. This is not an absolute correlation. Like your age or having a family history of breast cancer, it’s a factor you just can’t control. But you can let your physician know, perform regular breast self-exams and focus on the fact your chances of not having this disease are greater than 90 percent.

THE MYTH Breast cancer is contagious. The Truth: You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body. However, you can protect yourself by being aware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan.

THE MYTH Men do not get breast cancer. The Truth: Quite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. While this percentage still is small, men also should give themselves regular breast self-exams and note any changes to their physicians.

THE MYTH

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer. The Truth: Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer. For more information, visit www.cancer. gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo.

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread. The Truth: A mammogram, or X-ray of the

From National Breast Cancer Foundation website.

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National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011

Ford Launches Women’s Health Initiative Mobile Tour in Northwest as part of Operation Goodwill, Offers Latest Technology in Breast Cancer Imaging •

Ford Motor Company Fund plans to donate nearly $2 million through 2012 as part of Operation Goodwill to advance women’s health, teen driving safety, education and community efforts in the Northwest

•

Ford Motor Company Fund is teaming up with Hope Foundation to provide free 3D breast ultrasound screening through the Ford Women’s Health Initiative Mobile Breast Imaging Tour

•

The mobile testing unit with 3D breast ultrasound screening will travel through the Northwest region, starting in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and running through March 2012, visiting the Olympic Peninsula on Jan. 10, 2012

Port Angeles, Wash. September 21, 2011 – Ford Motor Company Fund is teaming up with Hope Foundation and mobile testing provider HealthFair to offer free or low-cost advanced mobile breast cancer imaging to women in the Northwest. This tour is the first initiative under Ford Operation Goodwill Northwest, a joint effort with area Ford and Lincoln dealers designed to expand Ford’s engagement with local communities in the region, especially in the areas of women’s health, teen driving safety, education and hunger relief. The Ford Women’s Health Initiative Mobile Breast Imaging Tour will launch in Seattle in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and on Jan. 10, 2012, will work with Price Ford to come to the Olympic Peninsula. The tour will provide women with breast screening using a 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile coach equipped with the latest technology in 3D breast cancer imaging from HealthFair. “We’re very pleased to provide this service to our Olympic Peninsula neighbors,” said David Price, owner, Price Ford. “Many of our us have friends and family members who have been personally affected by breast cancer, so this effort is important to us.”

“We are committed to helping meet the growing community needs in this region,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford Motor Company has been investing in our communities for decades, and we plan to expand our community engagement efforts in the Northwest with nearly $2 million in donations as part of our Operation Goodwill efforts through 2012.” The safe, comfortable ultrasound procedure provides consistent, accurate 3D images, regardless of breast density or implants. More than 40 percent of women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer. Working with local health and community organizations, this service will be offered to participating women in need on a free or low-cost basis. According to the Oregon Health Sciences University Knight Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, and – although researchers do not yet know why – the Pacific Northwest has the highest rate of breast cancer in the United States. While mammograms have been instrumental in detecting breast cancer, studies suggest 15.5 million breast cancer cases go undetected or under-diagnosed every year. ### Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of handson and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 27,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit http://community. ford.com.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 • 7

National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011 You can take control of your healthcare by developing an early detection plan and encouraging others to do the same. Remember — early detection saves lives!

PROUD SUPPORTER OF NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

An Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan should include:

BEGINNING AT AGE 20: Performing breast self-exams and looking for any signs of change.

AGE 20 TO 39: Scheduling clinical breast exams everyy three years.

BY THE AGE OF 40: Having a baseline mammogram and annual nnual clinical breast exams.

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AGES 40 TO 49: Having a mammogram every one to two years depending on previous findings.

AGES 50 AND OLDER: Having a mammogram every year.

ALL AGES: • Recording personal exams, mammograms mograms and n a detailed file. doctors’ appointments on a calendar or in ng a low-fat diet, • Maintaining a healthy weight, following ng, and reducing getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, alcohol consumption.

EARLY DETECTION PLAN

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National Breast Cancer Awareness 2011