"Instead of thinking about what you will do when you're diagnosed with cancer, think about what you can do now so you are not diagnosed."
Each year more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer. This year 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States with 4,000 in the state of Wisconsin. Our mother, daughter, sister, or friend's chance of getting breast cancer is now 1 in 7.
The Breast Cancer Family Foundation is dedicated to improving these statistics. Our goal is to help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer or a cancer recurrence by educating women and their families on risk reduction strategies.
The Breast Cancer Family Foundation provides educational programs targeting teens and adults in Northeastern Wisconsin. Our programs feature information on the growing threat of cancer and how to be more aware of the disease to reduce the lifelong risk.
School Education Program
Teenagers today have a 1 in 2 chance of getting cancer in their lifetime if they are male and 1 in 3 if they are female.
The Breast Cancer Family Foundation is committed to fighting this battle. By educating our young people on proven risk -reduction strategies, we can help reduce many types of cancers, not only breast cancer. Students discovered how lifestyle choices they make today can help decrease their chances of contracting the often deadly disease later in life.
While discussing all forms of cancer, the program focuses on risk factors for breast and testicular cancer and includes information about self-examination, diet and exercise.
Program/Activities:
The program consists of:
* Personal story told by a cancer survivor
* PowerPoint format presentation that covers:
~ Statistics on cancer facts and figures
~ Risk factors for breast/testicular cancer
~ How behavior decisions students make today with regard to smoking, alcohol, nutrition and physical activity will have an impact on their future health
~ List of foods that protect against all types of cancer and explanation of how/why these foods are effective
~ The effects on family members when cancer is diagnosed
* Program hand-out materials include:
~ A "reminder tip sheet" on healthy choices
~ A "caring message card" for the student to give to his/her mother reminding her to make a mammogram appointment
~ Breast self exam shower card & testicular cancer self-exam shower card
Objectives:
This year we will educate over 4,000 Northeastern Wisconsin students and their parents about breast cancer and other types of cancers and how to be more aware of the disease to help reduce their risk factors. This interactive program motivates the student to discuss the presentation and share literature with his/her parents.
Some of the responses received from students include:
"Your presentation made me talk to my mom, and now she's going for her first mammogram in seven years."
"My friend's mom was diagnosed with cancer and it can be really hard on families and friends."
"It makes cancer seem more real to hear about it from someone who has experienced it."
"The presentation made me realize cancer is a reality, not just something that we learn about."
"It was great to discover how nutrition, exercise, and self-examinations play a huge role in fighting cancer."
"I will definitely be exercising more and loading up on the colorful fruits and vegetables."
Comments from the instructors:
"This is one of the most important presentations for our health class students.
Mary Hansen - De Pere High, Health, Family & Consumer Education Instructor
"Your presentation most certainly cause our students to make better lifestyle decisions to help reduce their risk of cancer."
Jeff Justice - Washington Middle School, Health Instructor
"It is so great to have such a wonderful organization going out to tell young people their risks for cancer and how cancer affects families."
Kathy Donarski - Ashwaubenon High, Family & Consumer Education Instructor
During this 2006 - 2007 school year, we will conduct over 170 presentations reaching 4,000 students at the following schools in Northeast Wisconsin.
| Aldo Leopold School |
Ashwaubenon High |
| Bay Port High |
Bonduel High |
| Kaukauna High |
De Pere High |
| East Green Bay High |
Edison Middle School |
| Franklin Middle School |
Hortonville High |
| Lombardi Middle School |
Luxemburg-Casco High |
| NEW Lutheran High |
Kimberly High |
| Preble High |
Pulaski High |
| Wrightstown High |
Southwest High |
| Washington Middle School |
West De Pere High |
| West Green Bay High |
Lincoln High - Manitowoc |
Community Educational ProgramOur greatest ally in our fight against breast cancer is information. Unfortunately, countless women do not have access to the information they need to make life-saving decisions. The Breast Cancer Family Foundation is changing this trend with our educational programs. The more women know about breast health, the better chance they have of reducing their lifelong risk of breast cancer.
Besides covering similar topics presented in our School Program, the Community Program also includes:
* Breast cancer risk factors including risks we have control over and do not have control over
* Breast self-exam shower card, mammogram and other breast health leaflets
* Early detection procedures for breast cancer
* The various methods of information-gathering techniques and information resources
* Synthetic breast teaching models to learn how to perform self exams correctly
Objectives:
The desired primary result of this program is to arm women with information to reduce their chances of ever developing breast cancer or to minimize the risk of the disease returning. This program is being offered free of charge to local businesses, civic associations, religious organizations, and other community groups.
Each year we reach over 1,500 adult women through presentations and wellness sessions. The Breast Cancer Family Foundation is seeking more opportunities to reach students and adults in Northeast Wisconsin. To learn more about this program, contact Lou Kidd at 920/498-2285 or e-mail loukiddbcff@hotmail.com.
