Reality: 212,920 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2007, and 60 of them will be Cayuga County residents. The vast majority of these women will have “no special risk#” other than the fact that they are female and they are getting older! While it's true that about 30 percent of women have risk factors that make them more vulnerable, every woman's risk increases with age. Two-thirds of all women with breast cancer are over age 50.

Myth: “I'm better off not knowing if I have a problem with my breasts.”

Reality: While doing nothing may give some women a false sense of security, advances in early detection and improved treatment of breast cancer now make it a nearly curable condition. The key is in finding it early. Although breast cancer is still second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 97 percent today.

Myth: “I'll be all set as long as I get my mammogram on schedule.”

Reality: While screening mammography is especially valuable as an early detection tool, it is not 100 percent effective, nor is it recommended as a technique to be used by itself. The best protection is a three-step approach that includes:

€ Monthly breast self-examination, beginning at age 20

€ Annual clinical breast exams by a health care professional, beginning at age 40

€ Annual mammograms, beginning at age 40. (Women ages 20-39 should have clinical breast exams by a health care professional at least every three years).

Myth: “I don't have time to do breast self examination (BSE), and I wouldn't be able to find anything even if I did.”

Reality: BSE is simple to learn and takes only 10 minutes per month to do. Women who practice BSE become so familiar with the normal look, feel, and shape of their breasts that they often are able to discover problems as soon as they occur. (Women themselves find about 90 percent of “new” breast lumps.) The list of “what to look for” includes:

€ Skin irritation or dimpling

€ Scaling or ulcerations

€ Puckering or discoloration

€ Inversion of the nipple

€ A lump, thickening, or swelling

€ A distortion of the size or shape of the breast.

The basic rule of thumb is to check for anything that may be “different” from last month, and seek medical attention if you find something “abnormal.” Remember, don't panic as approximately 80 percent of breast lumps are not cancerous.

Contact our office at

253-1560 for more information about Breast Self Examination (BSE).

Myth: “I can't afford to get a doctor's exam of the breast or a mammogram.”

Reality: There are programs that pay for these services, in cases where women have little or no private health insurance and meet other eligibility guidelines. Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and our Healthy Men and Women Partnership (CCHMWP) program, cover clinical breast exams and mammograms. The Healthy Men and Women Partnership offers breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening, through grants from the NYS Department of Health and the CNY Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure. To enroll, just contact Julie Delaney, our data/case manager, at 253-1455.

Here's another idea: Plan to attend the fifth annual “Pamper Yourself, Pamper Your Health” event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Weedsport Jr. - Sr. High School. This event is sponsored by The Cayuga County Healthy Men & Women Partnership, The Weedsport Central School District, and the American Cancer Society. It is a very special morning focusing on health and beauty for all women ages 30+ living in northern Cayuga County. The purpose is to offer health care to women with limited access to transportation and/or health insurance and who face financial challenges.

The following services will be offered at no charge: blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, clinical breast exams, colon cancer home test kits, and information on women's health. Free mammograms will be available Tuesday, Nov. 27. Women with no health insurance or who are underinsured (ie. have high deductibles, have insurance where breast care services are not covered, etc.) will be given first priority for breast exams and mammograms.

For “pampering,” the program will include free manicures, massages, hair and make-up consultations, cooking demonstrations, refreshments, door prizes and give-away items. Child care will also be available.

Interested women are asked to contact Julie Delaney at the Partnership at 253-1455 to sign up. Pre-registration is required by Friday, Oct. 26.

For more information on breast care, contact The American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it