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Prior to Friday's event, Mrs.
Blagojevich met with her physician to have her own yearly scheduled
mammogram. She is well aware of the toll breast cancer is taking on
Illinois women, as well as the important role early detection can
play in fighting the disease.
"Having a yearly exam and mammogram is one way I know I can help
protect myself against breast cancer," said Mrs. Blagojevich. "I am
here today, on National Mammography Day, to make sure every woman in
Illinois is aware of the importance of early breast cancer detection
and screening."
"Breast cancer will take the lives
of nearly 1,800 women this year alone," continued Mrs. Blagojevich.
"I cannot sit back and allow this to happen. Every woman in this
state, no matter where she lives or how much money she has, deserves
access to the same screening and early detection resources needed to
keep healthy. It is necessary that women are aware that early
detection and prompt treatment can significantly reduce the
suffering caused by breast cancer. I strongly encourage all women to
take time to get their screenings, perform self-exams and see their
physicians for regular checkups."
According to the American Cancer
Society, more than 9,600 new cases of breast cancer will be
diagnosed among women in Illinois this year. One in eight women will
develop breast cancer during their lifetime and many will die
because of it. These devastating statistics are the reason why early
screening and detection are so important in battling the disease.
Recent studies have shown that deaths from breast cancer for women
in their 40s can be reduced by 17 percent and by at least 30 percent
for women ages 50-69 if they follow breast cancer screening
recommendations, including routine mammography, regular examinations
by a physician and monthly self-exams.
Following the first lady's remarks,
state Sen. Carol Ronen gave a personal testimonial on the importance
of regular breast cancer screening. "I applaud the first lady's
effort to increase breast cancer awareness," Ronen said. "As a
breast cancer survivor, I understand firsthand the value and
importance of early detection. It has helped to save many lives, my
own included, and I have no doubt that it will continue to protect
many women for years to come. Mrs. Blagojevich's efforts will
benefit the health of women statewide."
Joining the senator was Donna
Thompson, chief executive officer of the Access Community Health
Network and a member of The Stand Against Cancer Initiative.
Emphasizing the importance of routine breast cancer screening, Mrs.
Thompson spoke of the many women whose lives have been saved by
early detection.
The Stand Against Cancer Initiative
works to target the hardest to reach minority women throughout
Illinois. Strongly supported by the state, the initiative is
conducted by a coalition of neighborhood organizations, churches and
federally qualified health centers. It provides cancer screening
examinations and aims to reach thousands of women through community
educational programs. Programs such as Stand Against Cancer allow
women to take charge of their health, giving them the opportunity to
screen for breast cancer while it is still in the beginning stages.
The Stand Against Cancer Initiative has been pivotal in increasing
awareness and early diagnosis, giving many low-income women the
opportunity to stop breast cancer before it stops them.
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In the past, women in communities
that are disproportionately poor and disproportionately minority
have rarely had access to the health care they need. This is an
issue the first lady is well aware of. She understands the
importance of ensuring that every woman in Illinois, no matter
whether she is insured or not, understands that there are
state-funded resources available to her that can help protect her
against breast cancer.
"Uninsured women with low incomes
are less likely to have regular mammograms, and as a result, have an
increased risk of dying of breast cancer," said Mrs. Blagojevich.
"My goal today is to let women know there are programs, such as the
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, that can provide them
with the screenings and early detection that they need."
The Illinois Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program is a state-funded program providing free screenings
to low-income women between the ages of 35 and 64 who don't have
health insurance. Provided through the Illinois Department of Public
Health, the program has given almost 19,000 women access to free
screenings in the past year alone. If breast cancer is found, women
are eligible for free treatment through the Illinois Department of
Public Aid.
The Illinois Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program is just one of many state-funded programs aiding in
the fight against breast cancer. Since taking office, Gov.
Blagojevich has increased breast cancer funding by nearly $5
million. This funding has been used to ensure that women throughout
Illinois receive breast and cervical cancer screenings. Using a
combination of faith-based and community-based organizations and
health centers, clinics and hospitals, the state has worked to reach
women in hard-to-reach communities to stress the importance of early
detection of breast and cervical cancer, screening and treatment.
In addition to focusing on breast
cancer awareness and early detection, Illinois continues to place a
high priority on research. The Department of Public Health
administers the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research
fund, named after late state Sen. Penny Severns, who died of breast
cancer. The state directs $245,000 annually to the fund, and
taxpayers support the fund with contributions when filing their
annual state income tax funds. Since 1993, over $1.8 million has
been donated by Illinois taxpayers to help fund 85 research projects
in Illinois relating to early detection, prevention and treatment of
breast and cervical cancer.
"The health of Illinois women is too
precious to neglect," said Mrs. Blagojevich. "We must work together
to increase breast cancer awareness. A simple mammogram may be the
deciding factor between life and death. Women must know that there
are state-funded resources available to them that can detect,
prevent and treat this disease. I encourage anyone with questions
about breast cancer education and screening to contact the Illinois
Department of Public Health's Office of Women's Health toll-free hot
line at 1 (888) 522-1282."
[News release from the
governor's office] |
