Throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Curves fitness centers in the United States will focus on raising awareness about the life-saving importance of risk management, early detection and early treatment of breast cancer. Because women can help reduce their risk for breast cancer by staying in good health, Curves clubs nationwide, including Curves of Great Bend, are offering $0 joining-fee memberships Oct. 1-14 to new members who show proof of a mammogram performed within the last year or who donate $25 to the American Cancer Society.
In 2011, Curves clubs nationwide raised more than $1.7 million for the ACS.
The Cancer Society estimates nearly 226,870 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and another 63,300 will be diagnosed with carcinoma in situ (CIS), a non-invasive, early form of breast cancer. Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. More than 39,500 women will die from the disease in 2012. One woman in every eight will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.
During October, Curves of Great Bend will take a three-pronged approach to raising awareness about breast cancer:
• Early Detection. About 93 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages will be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment. In addition to breast self-examination, the ACS recommends yearly mammograms with a clinical breast exam (CBE) for women starting at age 40. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a CBE about every three years.
• Risk Management. Only about 5-10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary, so prevention is an important risk management strategy. To help women significantly reduce their risk of developing breast cancer, Curves encourages them to schedule an annual doctor visit, perform monthly breast self-exams, eat a nutritious diet and make time for regular exercise to promote fitness and weight control.
• Research. Curves of Great Bend members will have the opportunity to support critical research by joining fundraising efforts to honor the memory of breast cancer victims and celebrate the current and future birthday of breast cancer survivors at a GirlTime “Birthday Celebration” event.
For more information, call Curves of Great Bend, 620-792-9154, e-mail curvesofgb@ruraltel.net or visit www.curves.com.