Breast Cancer Program receives funding for fifth year

Observer Staff

2/24/2005 12:00:00 AM

For the fifth consecutive year, a $50,000 one-year grant has been awarded to the Michigan Inter-Tribal Council by the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund. The program's goal is to increase awareness on the lifesaving benefits of breast cancer early detection.

The breast health program at the Michigan Inter-Tribal Council will educate Michigan's Tribal women and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. Unique culturally-specific education will be provided to Tribal women in four Michigan communities: the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, The Keeweenaw Bay Indian Community, The Hannah-ville Indian Community and The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Since October of 2000, the Michigan Inter-Tribal Breast Health Program has reached nearly 7,000 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has referred almost 3,500 women for mammograms and clinical breast exams.

The program has also developed a variety of culturally specific breast health education materials, including the Courage Calendar which features Native American Breast Cancer Survivors, and the grass roots Pink Shawls Project video addressing breast health awareness and screening with traditional teachings and dancing.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55. According to the American Cancer Society 7,210 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Michigan this year and 1,380 lives will be lost. Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death from breast cancer every fourteen minutes. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as the Inter-Tribal Breast Health Program help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

Thirty to 40 percent of breast cancer deaths could be prevented if all women practices the three early detection steps: the American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40; annual clinical breast exams beginning at age 20; and monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20. According to the ACS, the majority of women who don't comply with these guidelines are generally poor and under served women.

"Many factors, ranging from fear to lack of a health care provider's recommendation, keep women from practicing good breast health," said Noel Pingatore, health education program manager for Michigan Inter-Tribal Council. "There is a tremendous need to reach women with appropriate information and resources. We are grateful Avon shares this mission and has chosen to support our program."

Avon has funded more than 800 community-based programs across the United States during the last 10 years, including the Breast Health Program at Michigan Inter-Tribal. These programs are dedicated to educating under served women about breast cancer and linking them with early detection screening services.