Early Detection Does Work: Following the Funds in Kansas

When the roadblock to screening is a combination of economic barriers, problems with transportation, access-related factors, cultural barriers, lack of knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, and misunderstanding of recommended screening frequency, Susan G. Komen Kansas grantees step forward to knock these barriers down.  We visited with Marcela Cousins, Clinical Community Coordinator with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) about an exciting new program launching this October.

 

Life is HOT (Healthy Options Today) is a new initiative through Early Detection Works for beauty salons in Wichita to educate African American women about the importance of breast health and screenings and to encourage regular mammograms with incentives.  The idea was born when Marcela Cousens was asked the question “what do you do when you are sitting in the chair at a salon?”

“When I said read a magazine,” Cousens said, “she then asked me what if there were messages on the cape written upside down?”

Kicking off this month, Life is HOT will work with local beauty professionals to incorporate the Life is HOT cape (with health messages) and window/mirror decals to encourage conversation about a healthy lifestyle and motivate clients to get mammograms by offering a $10 coupon for a return salon visit for those who do. 

“We are excited about the kick-off luncheon.” Cousins said. “We are starting small with 20-30 salons in the Wichita area, but hope to see the idea spread across the state.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Kansas women. An estimated 2,000 Kansas women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, with around 400 related deaths. Increasing survival rates depends on early detection.  Women without insurance or underinsured will be referred to Early Detection Works, a program through KDHE.  The KDHE Cancer Prevention and Control Program seeks to reduce the morbidity and mortality from cancer through prevention of cancer when possible and routine screening when appropriate. Other areas of interest include access to quality diagnostic services and treatment including access to clinical trials, as well as survivorship issues and if necessary, compassion and care at the end of life.  The program provides breast and cervical cancer screening services through service providers located across the state. It addresses other comprehensive cancer issues through a network partners who are interested in reducing the burden of cancer in Kansas.

http://www.kdheks.gov/edw/ks_women.html

 

Take Action: Five Good Reasons to Get a Mammogram

“Being health conscious, I started getting mammograms at age forty, even though there is no history of breast cancer in my family.  Due to regular screening, tissue changes were noticed ten years later.  I would like to point out, the tumors were located close to my chest wall, the prior test and physical exam was clear; I am not sure how big they would have had to get to be felt through self examination. The cancer turned out to be invasive and aggressive, a mammogram saved my life!”

 

This October many survivors are telling stories like the one above, encouraging their family, friends, co-workers, anyone who will listen to schedule a mammogram.  Susan G. Komen as well as the American Cancer Society, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society for Breast Imaging, and the American College of Radiology  recommend that yearly screening mammography should begin at age 40, unless there are circumstances that would suggest a higher risk.  You and your physician should discuss your risk factors and determine the best course of action for you.

“I don’t know if it's fear or just the busyness of life that keeps women from getting their screenings. It is anxiety-provoking for a lot of women, but when caught early your prognosis is so much better.”

It is easy to put off having your mammogram, especially if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms and don’t have any reason to worry.  One of the best reasons for getting a mammogram is for the people who love you, but here are five more:

5.  Breast cancer risk increases with age, 1 out of 8 women will have breast cancer in their lifetime.     

4.  Regular mammograms give radiologists a basis for comparison, which helps doctors find small changes in breast tissue to detect cancer as early as possible.

3.  A screening mammogram usually takes just 20 to 30 minutes to perform.

2.  It’s only uncomfortable for a few seconds.

1.  Early detection can save your life.   A mammogram is a key way to detect breast cancer early, which increases chances for successful treatment.
 

“My message is take care of yourself first; otherwise you won’t be any good for your family.”

Sometimes the roadblock is a combination of economic barriers, problems with transportation, access-related factors, cultural barriers, lack of knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, and misunderstanding of recommended screening frequency.  Susan G. Komen Kansas grantee, The Witness Project of Kansas is an African American community-based outreach program that utilizes African American volunteer cancer survivors and community lay health advisors for breast cancer awareness and education.  The Witness Project is helping women navigate the health care system, enrolling more women in Early Detection Works, in the hope of ultimately lowering the African American breast cancer mortality rate in Kansas.

“A mammogram saved my life!  I no long sweat the small stuff and look at each day as a gift.  I have always liked the color pink but now it has a totally new meaning in my life. I am wearing it as a Survivor!”   

 

Talk About It Tuesday: GET SCREENED!

You have heard the statistics numerous times already: Women in the United States have a 1 in 8 (or about 12 percent) lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. This means that for every eight women in the U.S. who live to be age 85, one will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Getting regular screening tests is the best way for women to lower their risk of dying from breast cancer. Screening tests can find breast cancer early, when the chances of survival are highest.

What Screening is right for me?
Regular breast cancer screening is important for all women, but even more so for those at higher risk. If you are at higher risk of breast cancer, you may need to be screened earlier and more often than other women.
A woman is considered at higher risk if she has one factor that greatly increases her risk or several factors that together increase risk. Your health care provider may use different tools to assess your risk and help you make a personalized breast cancer screening plan.
Factors that greatly increase breast cancer risk include:

• A mutation (or a 1st-degree relative with a mutation) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene;
• A strong family history of breast cancer, such as a mother, sister, etc. diagnosed at age 40 or younger;
• A personal history of invasive breast cancer;
• A personal history of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia; and/or
• Radiation treatment to the chest area during childhood or young adulthood

A mutation (or a first-degree relative with a mutation) in the TP53 or PTEN genes (These gene mutations can lead to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome. People with one of these syndromes or who have a first-degree relative with one of these syndromes have an increased risk of breast cancer.)
It is important to determine your personal risk. Talk to both sides of your family about your family health history and talk with your health care provider about your personal risk of breast cancer. Assessing your risk will help your doctor develop a personalized breast cancer screening plan for you.
If you are at higher risk talk with your health care provider to determine which screening tests are right for you – and when they should begin. The tests may include clinical breast exams, mammograms and/or breast MRI.
Continue the discussion at each visit with your doctor as your family history or personal history may change over time, which may then change your screening plan.
Women at average risk are to:

• A mammogram every year starting at age 40;
• A clinical breast exam (CBE) at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year starting at age 40; and,
• Sign up for your screening reminder at www.komen.org/reminder

There is not a predetermined age to stop having mammograms or CBE’s. As we age, women who are in good health and could benefit from treatment (if breast cancer were found) should continue to get mammograms. Breast cancer risk increases with age, and mammography does not appear to be less effective, for instance, in women 70 and older. Women of all ages should continue to talk with their doctors about what screening tests are right for them.

Finally, be aware of breast changes.
You are the best judge of your own body and the best advocate for your health. Know what is normal for you! Be aware of the look and feel of your breasts. Regardless of your age or the date of your last screening, be sure to contact your health care provider anytime you notice any of the following changes in the look or feel of your breasts:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area;
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast;
• Change in the size or shape of the breast;
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin;
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple;
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast;
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly; and/or,
• New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away.

Survivor Spotlight: Georgia Ellis

During the last days before the 1995 Race for the Cure a beautiful and graceful woman walked into the shabby little race office in the Wichita Mall and said,

“I am a breast cancer survivor and I am here to help.” 

She was the first person to ever volunteer that a committee member hadn’t begged to help.
 

From that moment, Georgia Ellis has used her understanding of survivors and her community to be a blessing to Komen’s mission and the women we serve.  In the early years, Komen Kansas hadn’t started the survivor recognition program and as of yet, weren't doing much with our local survivors.  Georgia was willing to share about being a survivor to give a better understanding of survivorship, something very much needed.  But Georgia’s willingness to share did not stop there.

Terry Burnett and Peggy Johnson knew they weren’t reaching the African Americans in our community, and had written a grant to start a program in Wichita.  But they also knew they couldn’t be the ones to develop the program. When asked to take the lead, Georgia willingly said yes. And it doesn’t seem she has stopped saying yes since.  Georgia has served as chair of Witnessing in the Heartland, held several positions on the Board of Directors including President for two years, being the first African American President of a Komen affiliate.  She served on an Advisory Committee for the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, as well as many Komen National committees.  Even when she moved temporarily to Dallas to help care for her mother, she became a volunteer in Texas.

If you visit the Affiliate office in Wichita, you are greeted by Georgia’s quiet kind manner and beautiful smile .  As Office Manager, she continues to serve and provide help in many ways.  And be sure to check out her shoes, she has one of the best shoe collections of any woman in Kansas!

 

 

Taking It To the Streets: Following the Funds in Kansas

How do you encourage women (and men) to pay attention to their breast health?  According to Erma Patterson, BSN, Health Educator with the Geary County Health Dept., you go to the churches, you go to the beauty shops, and you talk to people at Wal-Mart or Dillons. 

“I’ve literally walked the streets of Junction City getting the education and information out.” said Patterson.   “The town knows me as the breast cancer lady and that’s okay.”
 

Since breast cancer and other women’s health issues were not discussed in the African American culture Erma grew up in, it wasn’t until after she began working in breast cancer education that she found out how much the disease has touched her life.  First she found out both her husband’s mother and aunt were survivors.  Then the disease took the life of a friend at age 37 and renewed Patterson’s mission.

“What is missing, how do we get the message across?” Patterson asked when discussing how to help African American women understand the need for regular mammograms and breast exams.

Patterson feels the support of Susan G. Komen, her administrator and the community.  The Komen grant is providing breast health screenings, mammograms/follow-up referrals, and breast cancer risk education to 3000 African American women in Geary County.  And Erma Patterson will continue her work to encourage women (and men), young and old to take care of their breast health and to help them navigate the process.

“If someone needs information, I’ll be there with my Komen DVD and education materials; whatever needs to be done.”

The Geary County Health Department has been serving the Junction City, Geary County and the Fort Riley area since 1949.

For more information about this and other services in Geary County

Taking Action: The Cancer Whisperer

Reaching out to breast survivors in her community is how Sherry Peterson became known as the “Cancer Whisperer”.  Diagnosed 10 years ago with breast cancer, Sherry said it was hard.  She didn't have many choices for support, so she wanted to be there for others. Sherry started by reaching out to an acquaintance that she had found out was going into surgery after a diagnosis. 

 

“I left a message that I had heard about your diagnosis, if you want to talk,” Peterson recalled.

That led to another friend, so it became three for coffee.  Then another and another so now it’s seven.  Peterson knows that it helps to be with others who have been through it. 

“Sometimes they aren’t ready when you first make contact,” she said. “But then we make room for one more at coffee.”

There are many ways to reach out to help those in your community.  Sometimes it is being there to go with a friend to be outfitted for a wig. Sometimes it’s driving your friend to treatment or an appointment.  Sometimes it’s just a call to say I’m here if you want to talk.  Thoughtful gestures big and small mean so much to survivors, whether they’ve just been diagnosed or completed treatment years ago. By giving support you show strength and love. Peterson has found that she is now connecting with people through Facebook.  By taking action and reaching out to help survivors in her community, Sherry Peterson is making a difference in Kansas.

For more information on how you can Take Action
 

The Faces of Breast Cancer: Who is Affected?

Who is affected by breast cancer? Being female and getting older are the two most significant risks for breast cancer. One in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. However, breast cancer does not only affect older women.

Young Women
Breast cancer knows no age boundaries. Breast cancer in young women is rare – about five percent of breast cancer cases occur in women under age 40. However, breast cancer can and does happen to women under age 40. If you are a young woman and feel that something is not normal, advocate for yourself until you get care that addresses your concerns. No one should ever assume that just because you are young you cannot get breast cancer.
Women diagnosed before age 40 are more likely to have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that puts them at a greater risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. If a woman carries a mutated gene, she may have a 30-85 percent chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Having an immediate family member (parent, sibling or child) with breast cancer also increases a young woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. So while the risk of developing breast cancer is low for most women, it is higher for some. Young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer should discuss future plans with their physician, as some treatments may affect fertility. Young women may also experience concerns that are different from those of older women. There are several resources tailored to young survivors:

• Call the Susan G. Komen® Breast Care Helpline: 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) Visit the Susan G. Komen® website: www.komen.org
• Search www.ShopKomen.com for these booklets: What’s happening to me?, What’s happening to the woman I love?, What’s happening to mom?, What’s happening to the woman we love?
• Contact Fertile Hope: 1-866-965-7205 or www.fertilehope.org
• Contact Young Survival Coalition®: 1-877-972-1011 or www.youngsurvival.org

Men
Though boys and girls begin life with similar breast tissue, over time men do not have the same complex breast growth and development as women. At puberty, high testosterone and low estrogen levels stop breast development in males. Some milk ducts exist, but they remain undeveloped, and lobules are most often absent. However, breast problems, including breast cancer, can occur in men.
Men account for one percent of all breast cancer diagnoses. Survival rates for men are about the same as for women with the same stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. However, men are often diagnosed at a later stage because they may be less likely to report symptoms.
The most common sign of breast cancer in men is a painless lump or thickening in the breast or chest area. However, any change in the breast or nipple can be a warning sign of breast cancer in men, including:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening in the breast, chest or underarm area (usually painless, but may be tender)
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling, puckering or redness of the skin of the breast
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of the nipple (inverted nipple) or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge

If a man notices any of these signs or other changes in his breast, chest area or nipple, see a health care provider right away. Some men may be embarrassed about a change in their breast or chest area and put off seeing a health care provider, but this may result in a delay in diagnosis. Survival is highest when breast cancer is found early.

Co-Survivors
Breast cancer affects not only the survivor, but also the co-survivors – the people supporting the survivor through treatment and beyond. At Susan G. Komen, we consider a person a survivor from the moment a breast cancer diagnosis is confirmed. Co-survivors can be family members, spouses or partners, friends, health care providers or colleagues. Anyone who is there to lend support from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship is considered a co-survivor. Many different co-survivors may enter the survivor’s life over time, lending support in a variety of ways.
Directly upon diagnosis, there may be a whirlwind of tests and treatments. It goes by so quickly that the survivor and co-survivors may have little time to process the emotions that accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. And when treatment is completed, the new normal sets in. The new normal is difficult to explain because it is different for each individual. The survivor may have a new perspective on life, which may include a desire to make a difference in the world, concerns about recurrence or metastasis, or a reorganization of life’s priorities. Co-survivors are often impacted by the new needs of the survivor.
Sometimes it is hard to know what to do or what to say. Komen’s educational materials and resources can help co-survivors understand and meet the needs of someone going through this experience.

• Fact sheets on topics such as: “What to say when you don’t know what to say” or “What to do when you don’t know what to do”
• Create a network of support through online communities at sites such as: lotsahelpinghands.com or CaringBridge
• Connect with other co-survivors: Read stories of hope and encouragement from co-survivors and breast cancer survivors, and share your story to help inspire others.
• The co-survivor message board (Family, Friends and Caregivers) is a place to share ideas and support with people who know how you feel.
• Find more information here: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/FriendsampFamily.html