October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a deeply devastating disease which effects the body both physically and emotionally. This disease is often fatal, resulting in over 40,000 deaths this year alone. To put this in perspective, during the time it will take to complete this post, 21 women will have been diagnosed with breast cancer and two women will have died from it.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) educates women about the importance of early detection for breast cancer. Since NBCAM’s inception, mammography use has doubled, and breast cancer death rates have declined. Still, many women do not utilize mammography at regular intervals. In recognition of the fact that mammography is the best available method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt, and that breast cancer deaths could decline further if all women age 40 and older received mammograms at regular intervals. I urge all women and their families in Geary County to get the facts about mammography.

Yesterday, the Flint Hills Job Corp held a breast cancer awareness event attended by students, faculty and survivors. As part of the presentation, the Junction City-Geary County Health Department gave a presentation on current breast cancer facts and trends. The group then heard a moving story from a breast cancer survivor who has beaten the disease and lived well beyond her prognosis.

Help get the word out about breast cancer. The more you know about breast cancer, the higher your chances of survival if you receive a diagnosis. Tell your friends and family. Tell your co-workers. Help us to eradicate this devastating disease.

9-11 Warrior

As the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaches, we can reflect on the tragedy in a new way. Gina Maisano is the author of "No Surrender, A Battlefield Guide for Fighting and Surviving Breast Cancer," the founder of the No Surrender forums and a seven-year survivor of breast cancer whose battle began on that fateful September morning.

She states, "We were the only people on the bridge and we pulled over to look downtown at our beautiful city engulfed in smoke. It was at that moment that I realized the people in those buildings didn't have a chance to fight to save their lives, but I did. And I went from terrified zombie to warrior."

Maisano has overcome two separate bouts of breast cancer and is an advocate and mentor for the newly diagnosed. For the full story, please visit www.kctv5.com/breastcancer/16377238/detail.html.

Local Event

The Geary Community Hospital will be hosting a Hot Topics for Women Only Chick's Night Out on September 20, 2008 from 4:30 to 8:00pm. Chick's Night Out will be an evening of food, fun and laughs. Enjoy a night out with your friends and hear about what's hot in women's health and wellness. Come and browse the many booths, get free information on your health and a hand massage, or buy a necklace. Dinner is at 5:00 so please be punctual. This event is being held to address the tremendous community response they received from their first three Hot Topics Seminars. Guest speakers will include: Dr. Anwar Khoury, Ob/Gyn on "What's Hot in Women's Health"; Al Babcock, JCPD on Self Defense; Dr. Pat Landes, Chief Radiologist on breast health; and Dr. Susan Corbett, Certified Nurse Midwife on sexual health. Tickets are $10 on or before August 29 and $15 if purchased after. Groups of 8 are $60. Childcare will be provided ONLY to those who request it. Registration is required by September 5th, 2008! The event will be held at the Family Life Center on 1315 W. Ash Street in Junction City (behind the Church of the Nazarene). To register or for more information, please call Pam Shelite at (785) 210-3308 or email: pshelite@gchks.org. Bring your best friend, you mom or your sister and learn a little more about what hot in women's health today!

Kansas Official's Fight Against Breast Cancer

According the the Kansas City Star, Barbara Allen, Kansas Senator and long time advocate for breast cancer outreach and research, has completed her second term in office and will now devote her time to the fight full time. A breast cancer survivor herself, Allen made it possible for Kansans to donate to the Kansas Breast Cancer Research Fund on their tax forms and created the popular Breast Cancer Research and Outreach license plate. The former Senator is now enrolled in the KU Medical Center's Masters of Public Health program and will be devoting the coming months to the completion of her degree.

When public officials champion a cause like the fight against breast cancer, more coverage is given to the supporting events, more donations are received for research and outreach and more citizens become aware of the seriousness of the disease and may be inclined to join the cause. Thanks to Barbara Allen for her work as Senator and to all public officials and personalities who bring these issues to light.

For the full story, please visit http://www.kansascity.com/shawnee_mission/story/677126.html

Get Out and Get Moving for a Cause!

In 2008, Susan G. Komen for the Cure celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Komen Race for the Cure, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, with well over 1 million participants since 2005.

If you are looking to make a difference in breast cancer prevention and research, consider participating in Race for the Cure or other breast cancer awareness event. Not only will you be excercising your body, you will be excercizing your mind after meeting other partcipants, survivors and activists in your area.

I ran my first 5K last August in the Race Against Breast Cancer in Topeka. It was amazing to be surrounded by hundreds of Kansans honoring friends and relatives, survivors keeping themselves strong and citizens supporting a local outreach program that provides free mammograms to underpriveledged women in the Topeka area. It was an event that profoundly affected my life and one that I will continue to participate in annually.

The Topeka Race Against Breast Cancer will be held October 4th this year. The web address is: http://www.rabctopeka.org/ for more information and to register.

There is also a Race for the Cure in Wichita. This event will take place September 27th this year. The web address is: http://www.komenmidks.org/.
One woman stated, "I do the Race for the Cure in honor of my mother who was 36 when she lost her battle to breast cancer after the 4th reoccurance. She left behind a 17 year old a 15 year old and a 10 year old so my family does the race every year in hoping that another family does not lose a mother."

These events are truely inspiring. Register today to participate in a race this year and make a difference for breast cancer.
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Walk Kansas has officially ended but you can continue your excellent progress during the WOMAN Challenge, an eight week walking program starting on Mother's Day, May 11, 2008. The WOMAN Challenge (Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation) encourages women to get out and walk 10,000 steps in order to keep themselves healthy. This event is a perfect way to continue to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. It would also be a perfect way to reconnect with your mom this Mother's Day. Team up with your Mom this Sunday and start walking to kick off National Women's Health Week. For more information, please visit: www.womanshealth.gov/whw or call (800)-944-9662.

National Women's Health Week

May 11 through May 17, 2008 is National Women's Health Week. National Women's Health Week empowers women across the country to get healthy by taking action. The nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH), encourages women to make their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.
One aspect of Women's Health Week encourages women to receive breast and cervical check-ups on National Women's Check-Up Day, May 12, 2008. If you are a woman over 40 and have not received a mammogram or Pap smear in the last year, see your health care provider for a referral to either the Geary Community Hospital or the Irwin Army Hospital, the two mammogram centers in Geary County. You can also receive Pap smears and mammogram referrals here at the Health Department. Encourage your Mom to schedule a routine screening this Mother's Day. It may be the first step in keeping her healthy and cancer free for many years to come. National Women's Check-Up Day is a great time to schedule these very important screenings. Call us today to schedule your screening.
For more information, visit the following link: www.womenshealth.gov/whw or call (800)-994-9662.