October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Kendra Bobowick

Getbcfacts.com reveals both the sobering truths and uplifting tales about breast cancer. Cancer.org, the American Cancer Society’s website is succinct: “A Mammogram. Every Year. Every Woman age 40-plus.”

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal joined Newtown Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) President Becky Smith, Newtown Health District member Maureen Schaedler, Health District Director Donna Culbert, and town hall personnel Cayenne Spremullo and Carole Ross to make an awareness proclamation that coincides with the cancer society’s advisory.

The document states: “Mammography is the best available method of detecting…long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt, and that breast cancer deaths could decline further if all woman age 40 and older received mammograms at regular intervals…”

This month — Breast Cancer Awareness Month — is a reminder to women and men to pay attention to their health.

Ms Smith notes a simple first-step in breast cancer detection — self-exams.

Offering words of encouragement to help women remember to perform self-exams, she said, “Use the buddy system where you and a friend can remind one another to do the exams.” Additionally, she reminds women that October 20, the third Friday of the month, is National Mammography Day.

Communications assistant for the American Cancer Society’s New England Division, Louise Fornabaio of Brookfield, is also a breast cancer survivor.

She assures, “There is hope, and finding [cancer] early is so important, that’s why mammograms are so important…the sooner you find it the better your chances of survival.”

Ms Fornabaio has also heard a lot of people say they would rather not know.

“But you’re going to find out sooner or later; it’s better to find out sooner when something can be done about it,” she said. She advises that all women age 40 or older should have their annual mammograms to form a basis for yearly comparisons.

“This way the doctor knows about changes,” she said. Overall, women should keep active, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, avoid excess alcohol, and pursue a healthy life-style.

The cancer society also offers support for women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, including a 24-hour number, 800-ACS-2345.

“There is help night or day,” Ms Fornabaio said. She also noted the many support programs and recovery programs available to those undergoing cancer treatments and trying to cope with their diagnosis. Look Good…Feel Better is one popular program that focuses on appearance. Improving appearances can make a woman feel better about herself, Ms Fornabaio explained. See cancer.org for more information.

 

Upcoming Events/Ongoing Support Programs

Events this month include Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Danbury on Sunday, October 22. Sign up begins at 8 am. See makingstrides.acsevents.org. www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

Events in the greater Danbury area are: October 13–14, Mobile Breast Cancer Resource Center, Danbury Fair Mall; October 15, Health Expo at Faith Church, New Milford; October 22, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, Danbury Fair Mall; October 24, Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Bethel Senior Center, Bethel; October 25, Wellness and Health program, Western Connecticut State University.

According to ACS releases, programs include Reach to Recovery, one-on-one peer support program. Trained breast cancer survivors respond to concerns of people who are going through breast cancer diagnosis or treatment. Road to Recovery involves volunteer drivers who provide patients with transportation to and from their treatments. Look Good…Feel Better is dedicated to teaching female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image. Adventure Weekend welcomes women of all ages and stages of breast cancer come together at this camplike retreat in New Hampshire to share a weekend of adventure, group support, meditation and common experiences (October 20–22 and February 9–11).        

 The Newtown VNA can be reached at 270-4377.