L’Observateur / October 25, 2000

DEAR EDITOR: Great strides have been made in the fight against breast cancer. Today,more and more women are having mammograms, mortality rates are declining, research funding continues to grow and pink ribbons are a familiar sight across the nation. But despite all of our past accomplishments, morethan 180,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone – and over 40,000 will die from it.

Together, we can change that. As we enter the 21st Century, we mustcontinue to repeat one simple message over and over again to our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and friends: Early detection of breast cancer saves lives! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Louisiana women needto be reminded that a combination of monthly breast self-exams, yearly clinical breast exams and regular mammograms beginning at age 40 is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

A breast self-exam should be conducted once a month, beginning at age 18, to check for physical changes in the breasts. This exam should be conductedevery month for the rest of a woman’s life. A health care provider candemonstrate how to properly perform the exam.

What’s more, yearly clinical breast exams should be performed in addition to monthly breast self-exams. The exam consists of a health care providerchecking the breasts for any changes, lumps or other possible warning signs of breast cancer through physical touch and appearance. If a women’s healthcare provider does not mention the exam, she should request it.

Finally, all women 40 and over should have an annual mammogram, which is a simple X-ray of the breast that can detect lumps up to two years before they can be felt. Again, history has shown us that early detection screeningsare effective and should be practiced for a lifetime.

I believe that one day, death from breast cancer will be significantly reduced, if not entirely eliminated. But until that day comes, all women are at risk forbreast cancer and should begin a dialogue with their health care provider immediately. For additional information on early detection and prevention ofcancer, please visit the Cancer Research Foundation of America’s web site at www.preventcancer.com. You can also call 1-800-227-CRFA forassistance.

Cecile Bergeron Tauzin

Washington D.C.

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