October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.
NBCAM was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, producer of several anti-breast cancer drugs). The aim of the NBCAM from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol, though this was not the first time the ribbon was used to symbolize breast cancer. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation had handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.
While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages. Maverick County Hospital District Breast, Cervical Cancer Service program director Mary Hughes emphasizes that screenings for early detection are important and reminds the community that these services are available at the Maverick County Hospital District located at 3406 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass. The BCCS program may be contacted at (830) 757-4907.
The Maverick County Hospital District through the BCCS program provides health care services not only to the indigent but also for every Maverick County resident needing health care services through its Physician Specialty Group clinic, which may be contacted at (830) 757-4900.
Hughes recently reported to the MCHD Board of Directors at its September 24th meeting the most recent quarterly report numbers for the Breast, Cervical Cancer Service program.
According to Hughes, there have been a total of 113 clients served through the MCHD’s BCCS program for the quarter. Since 2010, the MCHD’s BCCS Program has had 2,424 unduplicated BCCS clients who have been checked for Breast or Cervical Cancer by the MCHD BCCS program. During the past quarter, there have been 19 new Breast Cervical Cancer Service clients in Maverick County. Hughes also reported that in those cases at least four of them were diagnosed for Breast Cancer in Maverick County.
Hughes also mentioned that in the Carrizo Springs and Crystal City area the program had helped diagnose or checked 10 individuals for cancer and that one of the 10 persons was diagnosed with Breast cancer. In Uvalde County, a total of eight new clients were examined while in Val Verde County a total of 50 clients were examined during the past quarter.
Hughes emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and detection and invites Maverick County residents to contact her for any questions or an appointment with the MCHD Breast Cervical Cancer Program at (830) 773-1460.
In the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In 2014, a total of 232,670 women and 2,360 men are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States.
In 2014, breast cancer is expected to claim the lives of 40,430 women and 430 men in the United States. In Texas during 2014, an estimated 17,481 new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed, resulting in 3,211 deaths among Texans.
Approximately two-thirds (66%) of invasive breast cancer cases occur in women over age 55. Women with immediate family members (grandmother, mother, sister) who have had breast cancer are at a greater risk of developing the disease. If one has a family history of cancer, genetic testing may help determine your risk. Overweight and/or physically inactive women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who are physically active.
Breast cancer is not exclusively a women’s issue as men are also susceptible to breast cancer. Recently, a Maverick County man was diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment.
In Maverick County, Candles for Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting local cancer patients, will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting its annual Candles for Life Walkathon on October 19th at 4 P.M. at Eagle Field in Eagle Pass, Texas to raise funds for local patients. Any person, school, group, or company interested in participating in the 2014 Candles for Life Walkathon may contact them at (830) 757-4980, Bruno Reyes at (830) 213-3087, or Maricarmen Rangel at (830) 776-0194. All funds raised will remain in the community to assist local residents with cancer pay for some of their personal expenses. Candles for Life is one of the best charitable organizations in Maverick County and most worthy of one’s charitable gifts or donations. Help them out today!
