making strides' for breast cancer awareness

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

2 Wednesday, October 5, 2011 The Southern Illinoisan

The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-980) ispublished daily for $178 per year at 710 N. IllinoisAve., Carbondale, IL 62901. The Southern Illinoisanis owned by Lee Enterprises, Inc. of Davenport, Iowa.

•• BBoobb WWiilllliiaammss,, [email protected]

special.thesouthern.com

•• TToo ssuubbssccrriibbee:: Call 618-351-5000 fromCarbondale, Murphysboro and DeSoto; 618-997-3356, option 2 from Williamson County;or 800-228-0429, option 2, between 6 a.m.and 5 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.Saturday and Sunday.

•• TToo ppllaaccee aa ddiissppllaayy aadd:: Call 8 a.m. to5 p.m. weekdays, 618-529-5454, option 6;from Williamson County, 618-997-3356; ortoll free: 800-228-0429, option 6.

The American Cancer Societycombines an unyielding passion withnearly a century of experience to savelives and end suffering from cancer. As aglobal grassroots force of more than 3million volunteers, we fight for everybirthday threatened by every cancer inevery community.

We save lives by helping people staywell by showing them steps they can taketo reduce their risk for cancer or detect itearly, helping people get well by guidingthem through every step of a cancerexperience, by finding cures throughinvesting in and conductinggroundbreaking research, and by fightingback by working with legislators to passlaws to defeat cancer and by rallyingcommunities worldwide to join the fight.Together with our millions of supporters,we are creating a world with less cancer

and more birthdays.There are some organizations that

support only breast cancer research.Unlike these organizations, the AmericanCancer Society supports research to findcures for all types of cancer, because weknow that discoveries in one area couldhelp find answers in another. Virtually allof the basic cancer research projects theSociety funds (about 70 percent) havepotential benefits for breast cancer.

As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancerresearch, contributing more than $3.4billion since 1946, we turn what we knowabout cancer into what we do about it. Asthe nation’s largest voluntary publichealth organization with the single mostuniversally recognized cancer-fightingbrand identity overall, the AmericanCancer Society is the longstanding leaderin the fight against breast cancer. Andtogether with our supporters, we aresaving lives in many ways.

American Cancer Society

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3rd Annual

A World of Caring

October 8th, 2011

5k Run/WalkSaturday, October 8th, 8:00am @ World of FitnessProceeds from 5k to benefit:American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Run begins 8am, walk begins 8:01am

Registration available at World of Fitness or online atwww.worldoffitnessherrin.com

1207 Weaver Rd • Herrin618-988-8878

Standing out in the fight against breast cancerAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETYFOR THE SOUTHERN

Think Pink,Ladies Night Out

St. Mary’s Good Samaritan inMount Vernon is hosting aninaugural women’s breastcancer awareness event, ThinkPink, Ladies Night Out. Theevent will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 atCedarhurst Center for the ArtsPerformance Hall in MountVernon.

Participants will have theopportunity to learn moreabout breast cancer awareness,prevention and success.

There will also be food,drinks entertainment. Featuredspeakers include Linda Harre, St. Mary’s GoodSamaritan Nurse Navigator and also a breast cancersurvivor; Dr. Debra Carson,an obstetrician and

gynecologist; Dr. Ryan Willis,radiologist; and Dr. YagneshOza, oncologist.

Think Pink, Ladies Night Outwill also feature several boothsincluding:� St. Mary’s Good Samaritan

Cancer Care Services� Good Samaritan Regional

Health Center Foundation and St. Mary’s HospitalFoundation� St. Mary’s Good Samaritan

OB/GYN Services� Heartland Women’s Health

Care� Vinci Surgical System� Little Egypt Breast and

Cervical Cancer Program� American Cancer Society� St. Mary’s Good Samaritan

Women’s Imaging Center� St. Mary’s Good Samaritan

Nutrition Services� Green Door Spa� Carl’s

� Jackson JewelersSpace is limited for this event.

Participants should register byFriday, Oct. 7 by calling 888-257-6098.

Celebration of BreastCancer Survivors

Heartland Regional MedicalCenter in Marion is offering theopportunity for you and a guestto live it up with some muchdeserved pampering courtesy ofThe Green Door Spa andDillard’s. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres,refreshments and fantasticgiveaways throughout theevening. Plus, hear words ofhope and inspiration frombreast cancer survivor BethBlaise.

The event is open to anyonewho is battling breast cancer or anyone who is a breast

cancer survivor.The Celebration of Breast

Cancer Survivors is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 inHeartland Regional MedicalCenter’s Courtyard Café.

For more information,contact Heather Houseright [email protected] 618-998-9898 option 3.

You can bePretty All Over

In honor of Breast CancerAwareness Month, Alpha HomeHealth Care is partnering withlocal health providers to hostPretty All Over events.

These events are designed tohelp breast cancer survivorsbecome more familiar withrecent innovations and options in mastectomy and lumpectomy products

and garments.Participants can stop by to

view new innovative bodycooling breast forms and post-lumpectomy shapers andbalancers. New styles andcolors of undergarmentsincluding sports bras, cami-bras and post surgical garmentswill also be displayed. Mostitems are covered by insurancesincluding Medicare andMedicaid with a physician’sorder.

Events will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at TheBreast Center in University Mall in Carbondale and fromnoon to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at St. Mary’s Good SamaritanFamily Health Center at 501 N. Du Quoin St. in Benton.

For more information, callAlpha Home Health Care at877-905-0111.

The Southern Illinoisan Wednesday, October 5, 2011 3

See how two sisters are getting fit and fighting breast cancer together. Tuesday at wwwwww..tthheessoouutthheerrnn..ccoomm//lliiffeessttyylleess//mmiinnddbbooddyy..

Mt. Vernon, Illinois




The American CancerSociety invests more in breastcancer research — to betterunderstand, prevent and curethe disease — than in anyother solid tumor site. Wetake pride in fundingpromising researchers early intheir careers, and our trackrecord is something we sharewith pride. Of the researcherschosen for Society fundingthroughout the years, 44 havegone on to win the NobelPrize. Your support hasallowed the American CancerSociety to be involved innearly every major breastcancer research breakthroughof the last century, including: � Funding research into

breast-conserving surgery,using lumpectomy plusradiation for treatment� Establishing

mammography as the goldstandard to find breast cancerearly� Discovering lifesaving

treatments such as Herceptinand Tamoxifen� Discovering genes for

inherited breast and coloncancer� Confirming the

knowledge that genetics, diet,lack of exercise, and alcoholabuse can increase a person’scancer risk� Discovering cancer-

causing oncogenes andtumor-suppressor genes

Currently, breast cancerresearch projects are underway at institutions across thecountry, thanks in large partto the funds raised by MakingStrides Against Breast Cancerparticipants. With yourcontinued help, we can fundmore critical researchprojects, one of which couldresult in a breakthrough thatwould lead to fewer diagnosesand lower the number ofdeaths from breast cancereach year.

— American Cancer Society

Working to find cures

“I was not a pink kind of girlbefore, but now I wear itproudly,” Beth Blaise said,smiling.

Pink is the color designated todraw attention to breast cancer.And while wearing pink, she’s avisible example of a cancersurvivor.

“You see someone wearingpink, and you realize you’re notalone,” she said quietly.

Blaise is the honorarysurvivor chair for the MakingStrides Against Breast Cancerevent scheduled for Saturday,Oct. 22, at Evergreen Park inCarbondale.

She’s not your typical breastcancer patient; she’d had lumpsin both breasts since she was22, but the cancer — fortunatelya slow-growing, non-aggressive type — wasn’tdiagnosed until she was 27.

“I was always changingdoctors because my husbandand I moved around with hisjob,” she said.

Over five years, she hadmammograms, sonograms. “Allwere negative,” she said.

Because she was so young, thedoctors believed those lumpswere just benign cysts. “Butwhen I had blood coming froma nipple, they sent me to abreast surgeon,” she said. Thegrowths were in the breastducts, and they were malignant.The surgeon offered severaloptions. Blaise opted to haveboth breasts removed and acomplete reconstruction. Shehad five surgeries in all, over ayear’s time. She also had fourchemotherapy treatments,three weeks apart.

She was in school at the

University of West Georgiawhen she was diagnosed andtreated. “We lived in an areawhere doctors were nearby, andI didn’t have to travel fortreatment,” she said. “I justremained upbeat and did whatthe doctors thought was best.”

Blaise was from Bridgeport,and came to Southern IllinoisUniversity to study forestry.She met her husband, BrianBlaise, when they both workedat Italian Village in Carbondale.They moved to the South,where he worked in restaurants,

and she changed her major togeology. A few years ago, theydecided to return to SouthernIllinois to be closer to parents.

Beth now works as a chemicalwater analyst in the Carbondalewater treatment plant.

She still sees an oncologistthree times a year, and a breastspecialist twice a year, inaddition to having normalphysicals. Mammograms don’twork with the type ofreconstruction she chose, soshe is diligent about doing self-checks. “If it comes back, I plan

on catching it early,” she said.Blaise feels blessed to have

been diagnosed. Hers was “arare cancer that is difficult todiagnose,” she said. Because ofher experience, she encourageswomen to push their doctors foradditional testing if they feelsomething is wrong.

“There is no such thing asbeing too proactive with ourhealth,” she said firmly.

“I had really good doctors anda really good support system,”she said. “And you learn not toworry about the silly stuff — to

BY LINDA RUSH THE SOUTHERN

She’s ‘Making Strides’Cancer survivor Beth Blaise gives back

to the American Cancer Society

PAUL NEWTON / THE SOUTHERNBeth Blaise of Carbondale is a breast cancer survivor and is the 2011 Making Strides Against Breast CancerHonorary Survivor Chair.


The key to celebrating morebirthdays — and employmentanniversaries — is to stay well.Getting a yearly mammogramis the most important actionwomen can take to find breastcancer early — before physicalsymptoms develop — when thedisease is most treatable.

By following the AmericanCancer Society’s breast cancerscreening guidelines, womencan take steps to stay well:� Yearly mammograms

should begin at age 40 andcontinue for as long as awoman is in good health.� A breast exam should be

part of a periodic health exam,about every three years forwomen in their 20s and 30sand every year for women age40 and older.� Women should know how

their breasts normally look andfeel and report any breastchange to a health careprofessional right away. Breastself-exam is an option forwomen starting in their 20s.� The American Cancer

Society also recommends thatsome women at high risk ofbreast cancer — because offamily history , a genetictendency, or certain otherfactors — be screened withMRI in addition tomammograms. They may alsoneed to begin screening at ayounger age. Women shouldtalk with their doctor abouttheir history and whether theyshould have an MRI along withtheir mammogram, and atwhat age they should startscreening.� In addition to finding

breast cancer early withmammograms, women canhelp reduce their risk bymaking healthy lifestylechoices such as staying at ahealthy weight, exercising andlimiting their alcohol intake.


Earlydetection

and staying well

The American Cancer Society encouragesSouthern Illinois residents who have aconcern about breast cancer to participatein the society’s second annual MakingStrides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk ofSouthern Illinois. The event is Saturday,Oct. 22 at Evergreen Park, south of SIUCarbondale on Pleasant Hill Road.

The Making Strides walk celebratescancer survivors while honoring those inthe community who lost their battle withbreast cancer. This non-competitive, 5Kwalk is expected to draw survivors andsupporters in an effort to educate the publicon the disease and raise funds during BreastCancer Awareness Month this October.Every stride puts the American Cancer

Society a step closer to finding a cure forthis disease.

As part of a national effort, which lastyear raised more than $50 million from over120 events, the money raised at the localMaking Strides walk will be used forresearch, education, advocacy and patientand family services. Since 1993, nearly 4 million walkers across the country haveraised more than $280 million to help fightbreast cancer.

The walk is free and noncompetitive, butparticipants are encouraged to collectdonations and pledges. Registeredparticipants who raise at least $100 willreceive a commemorative long-sleeved t-shirt. Walk check-in will begin at 8 a.m.

with the event beginning at 9 a.m.For more information on how to

volunteer or to register a team, contact theAmerican Cancer Society at 618-998-9898option 3 or visit www.makingstridessouthernillinois.com to register your team.


Right now, cancer can’t be defeated inhospitals and doctors’ offices alone. Wework with legislators to pass laws to defeatbreast cancer and rally communities to jointhe fight. The American Cancer Society, incollaboration with our nonprofit,nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, theAmerican Cancer Society Cancer ActionNetwork, works hard to keep breast cancerfunding a top priority for lawmakers.

Thanks in large part to donations from

the Making Strides Against Breast Cancerevent, our efforts are affecting many of thelaws governing options to battle cancer.

We have successfully lobbied Congressfor millions of dollars for the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention NationalBreast and Cervical Cancer Early DetectionProgram, which helps low-income,uninsured and underinsured women getscreenings and follow-up treatment, andwe are working to increase funding.

With the help of Making Stridesparticipants, we are telling Congress to“Put the Power of the Purse BehindResearch.” Because Congress holds the purse strings for cancer research funding,we are encouraging participants to tell Congress to protect funding that willdevelop better early detection tools andtreatments and improve patient-centeredcare for breast cancer.


Fighting back with legislation

just appreciate and enjoy life now.” She’sspending more time outdoors andexercising more, hoping to regain the upperbody strength she lost as a result of thesurgeries.

“I stay on my mom and sister aboutgetting mammograms,” she said.

Even before she was diagnosed withcancer, Blaise had participated infundraisers for the Susan B. KomenFoundation. As a survivor, she called theAmerican Cancer Society and volunteeredto help. As the Making Strides event drawscloser, she’s planning survivor activities,finding items for gift bags for participants,whatever is needed.

She’s happy to be involved, she said. “I’llget to meet more survivors in the area.They’re people I have something deeply incommon with.”

Like the ACS Relay for Life events,Making Strides seeks to raise funds whileraising consciousness about cancer. While

Relay targets all forms of cancer, MakingStrides focuses specifically on breastcancer, which can affect both men andwomen and strikes one in eight women.

While Blaise was undergoingchemotherapy, the American CancerSociety’s “Look Good, Feel Better” sessionshelped her and other patients with makeupand styling tips. “They gave us makeup,taught us how to tie scarves, and they eventeach you how to draw your eyebrows on.

“Looking normal really does make youfeel better,” she said, grinning.

With some 2,000 women attended thesessions last year in Illinois. And 1,990patients received free wigs, hats, scarvesand temporary prostheses from the ACS.Additionally, 40,000 patients wereprovided rides to and from treatment.Survivor groups help those battling canceras well, Blaise said.

“There’s a lingering fear: Will it comeback? When will it come back?” she said.“That’s one reason I’m doing this.”

[email protected]

Help fight this disease by Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

DETAILSWhat: Making Strides is a noncompetitive

walk, either a 5K or 3 mile walk, thatcelebrates breast cancer survivors whileraising funds to support research andservices.

When: Saturday, Oct. 22; registration at 8 a.m.and event at 9 a.m.

Where: Evergreen Park in Carbondale.Signup: To register or for more information

call 618-998-9898 option 3 or 800-227-2345, visit www.makingstridessouthernillinois.com or text “Strides” to 70000.Special incentives are offered for thoseraising the most funds.


If you know of a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event email ccaarraa..rreecciinnee@@tthheessoouutthheerrnn..ccoomm..


MYTH: No one in my familyhas ever had breast cancer, so Idon’t really need to beconcerned.

TRUTH: Your risk is greater if aclose relative has had breastcancer, but more than 85percent of breast cancers arediagnosed in women who donot have a family history of thedisease.

MYTH: If I’m going to getbreast cancer, there’s nothing Ican do about it.

TRUTH: While we still don’thow to prevent breast cancer,we do know that early detectioncan improve a woman’s chancesof beating this disease. Amammogram can find a tumormuch earlier than you or yourdoctor can feel it. When breastcancer is found early, while it issmall and before it has spread,the chance of successfultreatment is highest. Earlydetection also means that awoman’s chances for saving herbreast are better becausedoctors may be able to removethe tumor and only a small area

of nearby tissue. You can alsotake steps to help reduce yourrisk of the disease, includingstaying at a healthy weight,getting plenty of exercise andlimiting alcohol intake.

MYTH: These tests cost a lot,and I can’t afford amammogram.

TRUTH: Medicare, Medicaidand almost all insurancecompanies covermammograms. Some low-costmammogram programs are alsoavailable. Some doctors,hospitals or clinics may alsolower their fees for women whocannot afford the usual charge.

Also, the National Breast andCervical Cancer Early Detection

Program provides free or low-cost screening and follow-uptreatment for low-income,uninsured and underinsuredwomen, with a high priority onreaching racial and ethnicminority women. Contact theAmerican Cancer Society at800-227-2345 to learn moreabout special low-costprograms in your community.

MYTH: Since mammogramsare X-rays, the radiation couldbe dangerous.

TRUTH: In the past 20 years,both the equipment and howmammograms are done havegreatly improved. Today, thelevel of radiation is very lowand does not significantly raisea woman’s risk of breast cancer.

MYTH: I heard mammogramshurt and can be embarrassing.

TRUTH: When you get amammogram, you stand besidethe machine and a speciallytrained technologist helps placeyour breast on a metal plate. Asecond plate made of plastic isplaced on top, and, for a few

seconds, the top plate is pusheddown and flattens the breast toget a good, clear picture. Thetechnologist usually takes twopictures of each breast. Manywomen may feel somediscomfort, but it is for a very

short time. To reducediscomfort, try to avoidscheduling your mammogramduring the week before orduring your period, when yourbreasts are most tender.

Do you know the truth about breast cancer?Myths and truths about breast cancer and mammograms

Even the best-intentioned personcan become speechless or tongue-tiedwhen reacting to a loved one’s breastcancer diagnosis. What should yousay? And what should you not say?Several experts offered the statementsthey found most and least helpful tohear during their own breast cancerbattles.

Helpful� “I’m here for you, and we’ll see this

through together.”� “I’ll organize your friends to make

dinners, drive car pools, shop, etc. —

whatever would be helpful.”� “I know this is difficult for you, but

please know I will do all I can to supportyou.”� “I’m so sorry you have to go through

this, but I’m here to help in any way.”� “Would you like to tell me more

about it?”

Not so helpful� “You’ll be fine.”� “You poor thing.”� “I know how you feel.”� “I know someone who died from that.”� “Call me if you need anything.”

� “Will you be OK financially since youwon’t be able to work?”� “I think you should ...”

TimingMany friends and family members

rush to offer support upon hearingnews of a cancer diagnosis — but thenthe calls subside, even as the cancertreatment stretches on. Stayconnected for the long haul, checkingin with periodic phone calls or emailsto see how she’s doing or just to talkabout something normal.

— McClatchy-Tribune News

Finding the words

ART SERVICESMammograms aren’t painful for most women. Some might experience onlya discomfort, but it’s well worth it, if it saves your life.

For more information on howyou can help create a world withless breast cancer and morebirthdays, please call theAmerican Cancer Societyat 800-227-2345 or visitwwwwww..ccaanncceerr..oorrgg..

What do you say to a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer?

ART SERVICESDon’t let not knowing what to say stop you fromoffering comfort. But learn what to say and how tosay it.


SEE MYTHS / PAGE 7



Local Chiropractic and Wellness Center

Allied Physicians & RehabAllied Physicians & RehabSupports Cancer Research

For the month of October you can get a consultation and screening in our offi ce for just a $5 donation to Making Strides

Against Breast Cancer Walk.Drs. Brian & Julie Bird, DC and Dr. Dalton Heath, DC

Help patients with... • Headaches • Neck and shoulder tightness/pain • Back pain • Allergies/Asthma/Sinus issues • High Blood Pressure • Weight Loss • Pain Management

Call (618) 529-5172 to schedule your appointment

According to the American Cancer Society1 in 7 people will be diagnosed

with breast cancer. We’re not okay with those numbers and you shouldn’t be either.

Whether it’s the middle ofthe day or the middle of thenight, the American CancerSociety is here around theclock to guide youremployees or their familymembers through every stepof a breast cancerexperience. Below are just afew of the free programs andservices that we offer toyour employees and theirloved ones.

Call 800-227-2345.Cancer InformationSpecialists are available 24hours a day, seven days aweek to provideinformation, day-to-dayhelp, and emotionalsupport.� One-on-one support

from breast cancer survivorswho have “been there”� Help with beauty

techniques to boost self-esteem during treatment� Free or low-cost wigs

and other supplies forwomen in treatment� Transportation

assistance to and fromtreatment� Lodging when having to

travel far from home fortreatment� Assistance to help make

informed decisions aboutthings like medical care,finances and insurance� Online support

community� Online education classes


Help through every step of a cancer experienceTell the technologist if

you have any pain.

MYTH: If I get amammogram, I’m going tofind breast cancer.

TRUTH: Only two to fourmammograms out of every1,000 will lead to a cancerdiagnosis. If a suspiciousarea is found, your doctorwill order more tests. Onlyabout 10 percent of womenneed more tests. Anothermammogram may be done,focusing more pictures onthe area of concern. Thedoctor may also use a thinneedle to remove fluid or asmall amount of tissuefrom the suspicious area.This test is called a biopsy,and it is the only way toknow for sure whether the

changes are caused bycancer. A specialist called apathologist looks at thesample under a microscope.But even if you are told youneed a biopsy, rememberthat about 80 percent oflumps or suspicious areaswill not be cancer.

MYTH: I’ve lived this longwithout getting breastcancer. Why should Ibother with amammogram?

TRUTH: Your risk ofdeveloping breast cancerincreases as you get older.More than two out of everythree breast cancersdiagnosed each year occurin women older than 55.Even if you’ve been throughmenopause, you still need amammogram.


ART SERVICESAmong its many programs, the American CancerSociety offers help with beauty techniques thatcan boost self-esteem.

MYTHS: Learn the truthFROM PAGE 6


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