Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention Week
For most people it may be difficult to find a relationship between breast cancer awareness and Elvis … at least until they meet Roseanne Wagner. She has spent 50 years of her life as a registered nurse, the last 12 of them as Outreach Coordinator for the BreasTest & More Program at Cobb & Douglas Public Health, where she has been dedicated to educating the public, by any means possible, about the importance of breast health care and screening.
In Georgia, approximately 6,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and more than 1,080 women lose their lives to breast cancer annually. “The numbers are staggering particularly among minority and low income groups who suffer a disproportionate number of deaths,” said Wagner. “However, the good news is routine screening can prevent 15 to 30 percent of deaths from breast cancer among women 40 years old and up.” According to Wagner, when diagnosed and treated at an early stage the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.
Because Georgia still has several counties where breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher than the national average, Wagner and her team have employed some non-traditional methods to reach their target group of women in an effort to improve the statistics. As part of the 7th Annual Breast Cancer and Awareness Prevention Month, the BreasTest & More Program at Cobb & Douglas Public Health will host a celebration of Breast Health on Oct 22 and 23.
"Since we were targeting women 40-64 years-old, we thought an "Elvis Tribute," featuring Jeff Brewer, would be something that generation could appreciate," said Wagner. While the event is designed to provide food, fun and prizes, it is definitely a 'party with a purpose'. Eligible attendees will receive appointments for free breast exams and mammograms, and everyone will receive information and tips on what they can do to beat the statistics.
As we approach October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cobb & Douglas Public Health wants to remind all women to practice good breast health and encourage them to contact their doctors for an appointment.
For those who cannot afford a physician, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) is available at the health department. The BCCP is designed to increase awareness of breast and cervical cancer and serve low income women who are uninsured or under-insured through screenings.
The program provides clinical breast and pelvic exams, pap tests, mammogram referrals, and diagnostic services to eligible women between the ages of 40-64 years of age.
The following are the steps to good breast health:
- Breast self-exam every month starting at age 20.
- Clinical breast exam by health care provider every three years at age 20-39, and every year after 40.
- An annual screening mammogram starting at age 40.
For more information, please call Cobb Public Health at 770-514-2314 or Douglas Public Health at 770-949-1970.
According to Wagner, Breast Health Awareness affects everyone. “Anyone who has a mother, sister, wife or daughter should be interested in good breast health … even Elvis.”