Professional Firefighters of Local 4561, Maricopa Fire promote breast cancer awareness

During October there are numerous events that support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, such as the Race for the Cure, pink ribbon sales at various local marketplaces and awareness literature that is distributed throughout the country.

The Professional Firefighters of Maricopa, Local 4561, and the Maricopa Fire Department wanted to show their support for this worthy cause so, during the month of October, members of the fire department were allowed to purchase and wear an alternative uniform shirt that was pink with blue printing, as opposed to their traditional blue and white duty shirts.

The point of these shirts was to show families, friends and loved ones of those affected by breast cancer that fire fighters were thinking of them. Several members of the Maricopa Fire Department have grandmothers, mothers, sisters and other family members and friends that have either lost the fight or are survivors of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer deaths in women 55 to 74. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

The Professional Firefighters of Maricopa would like to offer some helpful tips they share with those closest to them:

Who gets breast cancer?

Anyone can get breast cancer. For example, did you know:
· The older a woman is, the more likely she is to get breast cancer?
· White women are more likely to get breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group? They also have a better chance of survival, primarily because their cancer is usually detected earlier.
· African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.
· Men can get breast cancer, too, although it is rare. Less than one of every 100 cases of breast cancer in the U.S. occurs in men.
· In 2006, it was estimated that men would account for 1,720 cases of breast cancer.1

What is your best defense?

The best way to find breast cancer in its earliest stages is to routinely check your breasts for signs and symptoms of the disease.

There are three basic methods:

Mammograms are X-ray pictures of the breast. They can find breast cancer in its earliest stages, even before a lump can be felt. All women 40 and older should have a mammogram every year. If you are younger than 40 with either a family history of breast cancer or other concerns, talk with your health care provider about when to start getting
mammograms and how often to have them.

Clinical breast exam is performed by a health care provider who carefully checks your breasts and underarm areas for any lumps or changes that may be present. Many women have a clinical breast exam performed when they get their Pap test. Women should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years between the ages of 20 and 39 and
every year starting at 40.

Breast self-exam (BSE) involves two main steps, looking at and feeling your breasts for any change from normal. If you notice any change in the normal look or feel of your breasts, see your health care provider. All women should perform monthly BSE by age 20. BSE should be done once a month, a few days after your period ends. If you no longer have periods, do BSE on the same day each month. At your next appointment, ask your health care provider to show you the steps for BSE.

(For step-by-step BSE instructions, go to www.komen.org/bse or call 1-800-462-9273 to request a free BSE card.)

1 American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2006.

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