Curves of Hays joins breast cancer awareness campaign
Published on -10/26/2009, 8:35 AM
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Special to The Hays Daily News
The probability of a woman being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her life is about one in eight. And, the probability of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer death rates are going down, the association says, which is probably a result of finding the cancer earlier and receiving improved treatment.
That is why Curves' locations, including the one located at 1702 Vine in Hays, are encouraging women to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Women who bring in a mammogram, performed within the last year, or make a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society will be waived from paying a service fee when they join Curves before Oct. 30.
"Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women worldwide, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention," said Debbie Hibbs of the Hays Curves. "Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast-exams, we are also educating Hays-area community members about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise."
* How can women exercise good breast health?
Most women who think of screening for breast cancer think of mammograms, but there are three ways to screen for breast cancer: mammography, clinical breast exam by a health care professional and breast self-exams. When combined, they offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.
* How important is early detection?
Early detection means the availability of more treatment options. More than 95 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages are more likely to be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis.
Curves has been a long-committed partner in the fight against cancer, raising millions of dollars annually for research and treatment.
