Press Release
Research has shown that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to survive breast cancer, and that the cancers detected are, on average, smaller and more treatable, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Many cases of breast cancer are being detected and treated early, which contributes to the reason why cancer-diagnosed women are alive and well today.
“Curves for Women” locations, including the one in Fort Frances, are encouraging women to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
As well, women who make a $50 donation to the local Breast Health Network or Canadian Cancer Society will be waived from applying a service fee when they join Curves during the promotion period of Oct. 13-24.
Participating Curves locations also will make available a unique home breast self-exam kit called the “Liv Aid,” which makes the breast self-exam process more sensitive to detecting unusual lumps.
And for every Liv Aid kit sold, Curves will donate one to the local Breast Health Network.
“Breast cancer is, by far, the most common cancer among women worldwide, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention,” said Arlene Georgeson of the local Curves.
“Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast exams, we are also educating the Fort Frances area about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise,” she added.
Based on recent information released about breast cancer, Curves has provided the following advice for local women regarding breast self-exams:
•How can women exercise good breast health?
Most women who think of screening for breast cancer think of mammograms. But there actually are three ways to screen for breast cancer that, when combined, offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stage.
These are: mammography, a clinical breast exam by a health-care professional, and breast self-exams.
•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 will be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment.
•How important are breast self-exams?
Breast self-exams catch a significant number of breast cancers—some 15-20 percent—that otherwise might have gone undetected for possibly up to a year between doctor visits.
About 80 percent of breast cancers not discovered by mammography are found by women themselves. Through breast self-exams, women are in the position to detect subtle changes in their breast tissue.
Recent research has linked obesity and excess weight with an increased risk for various cancers, including breast cancer. Curves has helped millions of women around the world lose millions of pounds and move away from all types of disease.
“When women understand that one-third of all breast cancer can be related to lack of exercise and poor diet, they’ll see that they have the opportunity to have much more control over their cancer risk,” said Georgeson.
“We want to encourage women to learn more abut the impact wellness has on preventing cancer,” she stressed.
For more information about Curves or what weeks in October it’s waiving the service fee, call 274-2205 or e-mail curvesff@hotmail.com
