Curves of Lincoln joins breast cancer awareness campaign

Fitness center encourages women to do self-exams; offers discounts to local women who receive mammograms or support cause

[October 06, 2009]  The probability of a woman being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer sometime during her life is about one in eight. And, the probability of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer death rates are going down, the association says, which is probably a result of finding the cancer earlier and receiving improved treatment.

That is why Curves' locations, including the one at 300 S. McLean St. in Lincoln, are encouraging women this month to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and women who bring in a report of a mammogram performed within the last year or make a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society will have the service fee waived when they join Curves during one of the last three weeks of the month. Also, participating Curves locations will make available a unique kit called the Liv Aid for breast self-exams at home. The kit makes the self-exam process more sensitive for detecting unusual lumps. For every Liv Aid kit sold, Curves will donate a kit to another woman who can't afford one.

"Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women worldwide, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention," says Debbie Boughan of the Lincoln Curves. "Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast exams, we are also educating Lincoln-area community members about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise."

Based on recent information released about breast cancer, Boughan 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 are three ways to screen for breast cancer: mammography, clinical breast exam by a health care professional and breast self-exams. When combined, they offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.

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 are more likely to be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment, Boughan said.

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, Boughan said. And, about 80 percent of breast cancers not discovered by mammography are found by women themselves. Through breast self-exams, women are in a 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. According to Boughan, Curves has been a long-committed partner in the fight against cancer, raising millions of dollars annually for research, treatment and recovery programs. The company has helped millions of women around the world lose millions of pounds and move away from all types of diseases.

"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," Boughan said. "We want to encourage women to learn more about the impact wellness has on preventing cancer."

For more information about Curves of Lincoln or what week in October it's waiving the service fee, contact Debbie Boughan at 217-735-3630 or [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Curves of Lincoln]