FRIEND TO FRIEND BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROGRAM
SET FOR OCTOBER 11th IN BEMIDJI
BEMIDJI, MN— October 2007 marks more than 22 years of educating women about breast cancer early detection, diagnosis, and treatment during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. North Country Health Services, MeritCare Clinic-Bemidji, and the American Cancer Society invite area women to attend a Friend to Friend program. Friend to Friend is a free breast cancer awareness event being held at North Country Regional Hospital in the Education Center on Thursday, October 11th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. North Country Regional Hospital is located at 1300 Anne Street, NW, in Bemidji.
Key Breast Cancer Facts for Minnesota: According to data obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health, the following are the number of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases and breast cancer deaths in Minnesota in 2004 (latest year of data available)*.
CASES
Females 3,280
Males 33
DEATHS
Females 655
Males 1
For the year 2006 in Minnesota more than 3,000 women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 590 women were expected to die from the disease. Significant progress has been made in mammography technology to assist physicians in diagnosing the disease at an early stage, usually before physical symptoms develop. When breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, before it has spread to lymph nodes or other locations in the body, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. According to the Minnesota Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), MDH, the percent of Minnesota women age 40 and older reporting having had a mammogram in 2004 is 80.4%. This is the 5th highest in the U.S. As a result of improved early detection, breast cancer survivors make up the largest group of cancer survivors.
The October 11 event includes a dessert bar and refreshments, free goody bags, prize drawings throughout the night, guest speakers Dr. John Bollinger and Sharon Kemper—breast cancer survivor, women’s health information and the opportunity to learn about the SAGE screening program. The Minnesota Department of Health’s SAGE program provides free breast cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured women. Details of how to participate in the program will be shared.
Dr. John Bollinger is a radiation oncologist at MeritCare-Bemidji and has been practicing medicine in Bemidji for the past five years. Dr. Bollinger completed a residency in radiation oncology at the University of Oklahoma Hospitals, Oklahoma City, OK. He has been a radiation oncologist for 20 years.
Sharon Kemper is local resident who has survived breast cancer twice. She will share her story and discuss the importance regular screening made for her prognosis.
“This is a great opportunity for women to learn about the importance of breast health and early detection of breast cancer, a message they may not otherwise have the chance to learn about and discuss,” said Crissy Eineichner, Breast Cancer Nurse Case Manager, MeritCare – Bemidji. “In addition to the wonderful guest speakers, women will have an opportunity to meet with breast cancer survivors and receive assistance in completing the SAGE form qualifying them for a free mammogram.”
For every woman 40 and over, a mammogram is a must!
This Friend to Friend program makes it easy for you by providing up-to-date information on breast cancer and mammograms from healthcare professionals and trained Reach to Recovery volunteers, women who have survived breast cancer. It answers your questions and concerns about breast cancer and mammograms, and helps you get a free or low-cost mammogram if you meet eligibility requirements.
To learn about breast health and the importance of regular screenings attend the Friend to Friend program at North Country Regional Hospital. This event is free of charge and pre-registration is required. To register for Friend to Friend, or for more information, call Tina at 218-333-5578. The registration deadline is Thursday, October 9.
Data Sources
*Perkins C, Bushhouse S. Cancer in Minnesota, 2004: Preliminary Report. Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System, St Paul, MN, March 2006.
Available online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/cdee/mcss. |
