Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 114, No. 40	October 3, 2007

Think pink!

By SANDRA STONE
Messenger Staff

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. One in three women is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes. One woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States. An estimated 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2007.

But the news is not all bleak. In the United States today, there are more than two million breast cancer survivors. With early detection, a growing awareness and research which has improved the treatment of breast cancer, the outlook grows brighter every day.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Meade County Breast Cancer Coalition is doing its part to increase awareness of the disease which is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40-59.

Pink ribbons were hung around town, banners reminding of the importance of early detection were placed in key locations throughout the community, and pink notecards with important information for women of all ages will be placed in various locations, along with complimentary lapel pins to wear throughout the month of October.

Several events in and around Meade County will take place throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On. Oct. 9, a breast cancer survivors dinner will be held at Buckhead Mountain Grill in Jeffersonville, Ind., sponsored by the Kentucky Cancer Program. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (502) 852-6318.

On Oct. 13, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held in Louisville. “It’s such a great event,” said Fay Mattingly, chair of the Meade County Breast Cancer Coalition and a breast cancer survivor. “There are so many resources available, and there’s a great feeling among the participants. It’s almost like one big hug.”

The Meade County Breast Cancer Coalition will also have a table at the Meade County Women’s Expo to be held Oct. 27. “It’s an honor for us to be there,” said Melissa Kinnard, community health educator for the Meade County Health Department and the Breast Cancer Coalition. “We’re the only not-for-profit group to set up, and a lot of people come by to get information.”

Then on Oct. 28, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer race, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will also be held in Louisville.

The main event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Meade County is a cancer screening day Oct. 30. On that day, the Meade County Health Department will be dedicated to women’s health screenings. The idea behind this screening day, said Kinnard, is to provide women the opportunity to have these vital screenings.

Many women, said Kinnard, don’t go for these screenings because they don’t have insurance and can’t pay for them. But there is funding available through the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program which can help. A woman need only call the health department at (270) 422-3988 for information on eligibility or for an appointment for the screenings. Each woman who completes her screening and schedules her mammogram Oct. 30 will receive a $10 gas gift card courtesy of the Meade County Breast Cancer Coalition.

The Meade County Breast Cancer Coalition meets every other month at the Meade County Health Department. One need not be a breast cancer survivor to join. All are welcome. The next meeting is Nov. 21 at noon. “Bring a lunch and bring a friend,” said Kinnard.

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