Time to Fight Breast Cancer

“Put your pink bra on” is the rallying call to draw attention to the fight against breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death (following lung cancer).  October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year.

“We are using that phrase to draw some additional attention for women to fight back against breast cancer,” said Cynthia Dunlap, area executive director for the local American Cancer Society.

Additional attention is needed as the current federal funding for breast cancer screening supports only eight percent of Florida women eligible for reduced mammography fees, according to Nancy Ambrose, a boardmember and advocacy chairperson for the Manatee Unit of the Cancer Society.

“I am a breast cancer survivor and this appalls me,” Ambrose said. “Florida appropriates no state dollars for women without health insurance to obtain screenings and mammograms, and we all know early intervention saves lives and dollars. People without health insurance don’t get early screenings so eventually they end up getting a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy, which takes longer recovery and is more costly.”

Of women, ages 50-64, an estimated 119,000 low income Floridians are not served by the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) because of a lack of funding.

“We are only one of seven states in the country who do not assign state funding to this program.” Ambrose said. “We rely solely on the Center for Disease Control for funding.”

 Two American Cancer Society fundraisers are set for:

• Saturday, October 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. High Heel-A-Thon, Hornbeck’s Chiropractic and Wellness, 11023 Gatewood Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Includes a 100 yard walk in women’s shoes with at least a one-inch heel.  Entry fee: $20 advance, $30 at the door. All participants will receive a free T-shirt and will be eligible for prizes. There will be a decorate your bra contest. Other activities: chair massages, gift certificates for mammograms, drawings, petting zoo, bounce house, free hot dogs and more. Co-sponsors include Manatee Diagnostic Center and Crowder’s Gifts & Gadgets.
•  Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Saturday, October 22, Sarasota Polo Club. Registration at 7:30 a.m. Walk begins at 9 a.m. No registration fee, all ages welcome to participate and help raise funds with pledges.

 More information visit http://makingstrides.acsevents.org and http://www.nbcam.org.