Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness

East Boston, MA, October 30, 2006—Over 200 women from the local community attended the 16th Annual Women’s Health Awareness Program event at Spinnelli’s function hall in East Boston on October 26. Many of the women in attendance had firsthand experience with breast cancer, either by supporting a family member with the disease or as patients.

Held in observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the interactive panel event was planned and sponsored by the Breast and Health Awareness Committee, a sub-committee of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center’s Board of Directors. The committee was “formed 16 years ago to enhance awareness about breast cancer, an epidemic that strikes one in every eight women in their lifetime,” stated Sandra Caggiano, Committee Chairperson.

Focused on outreach, the committee sponsors educational events for the community as a way to inform women of the latest findings about breast cancer and to promote early detection and intervention through the use of mammography and physician breast exams.

The panel of experts included: Karen Freund MD, MPH Chief, Women’s Health Unit, Department of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine; Tracey A. Battaglia, MD, MPH, Associate Program Director, Preventive Medicine Residency, Boston University Medical School; James O. Taylor, MD, EBNHC’s Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Ron Iverson, Medical Director, OB/GYN; and Martha Nencioli, RNC, EBNHC’s OB/GYN Administrative Director.

This team of professionals demystified the early intervention process. For many women, the first test for breast cancer is a mammogram. Mammograms are recommended annually for women beginning at age 40. Statistically, mammograms alone may not be sufficient for women age 40 to 50, as mammography for this age group can miss up to 25% of breast cancers. For these women, a breast exam performed by a physician provides additional, essential preventive care. For women 50 to 70 years of age, mammography alone detects 90% of breast cancers.

The Breast and Health Awareness Committee urges women to take these important steps: Perform a self-breast exam every month (visit www.breastcancer.org for details). If you feel a lump in your breast at any time, see your physician. Even if you recently had a mammogram, remember that mammograms do not show every cancer. Smoking increases the risk of many cancers.

Rita Sorrento, EBNHC Board Chair and an advocate for community health in East Boston, expressed her gratitude to the local businesses that donated raffle prizes for the event and especially to the attendees. “I’ve been attending this event for sixteen years and I see a lot of the same people,” said Ms. Sorrento. “Many are breast cancer survivors. It is my hope and mission that we at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will continue to support the greater health of our community through outstanding care delivery as well as through information and education leading to early detection, intervention, and prevention of illness.”