A common death to women: breast cancer

Silence filled the room and all that could be heard was the thick tapping of her toe to the tile as she anxiously awaited the news. Five years prior, she was dragging her feet into the doctor’s office getting ready for yet one more agonizing surgery. But this time she had a good feeling; she was going to be okay and the results would be different.

After dealing with numerous years of battling breast cancer, Debbie Young, 57, was feeling hopeless and ready to give up. Her last surgery was supposed to be the final one to bring Young to a place of recovery.Her family, friends and faith in God kept her strong and helped her reach a point stage of contentment daily.

When the doctor entered the examination room carrying her wood clipboard, Young finally received the exciting news that she was now designated as a breast cancer survivor. The 5-year “safety net” following her las surgery had passed and Young reached a point of recession. She could now continue on with a sense of confidence. The hope she held onto at last proved itself.

“Hope is the substance that will turn each patient into a survivor,” Young said.

In the United States alone, there are more than 2.3 million women currently living with breast cancer or have survived breast cancer. Even though this is a substantial amount of women, there is still an estimated 40,460 that would have died from breast cancer in 2007, according to National Cancer Institute.

Approximately 24,113 people in Virginia are currently diagnosed with breast cancer. Chesterfield, Arlington, Thomas Jefferson and Fairfax are among the top counties with these cancer patients, according to Virginia Department of Health.

With numbers this high, appropriate medical attention is imperative. These formidable numbers also prove the importance of yearly self examinations. Medical centers all over the nation provide services to perform such tests.

“The best way to prevent any disease is to be informed, know your health risks and be an advocate for your own health,” Page Pace, board member on the Greater Roanoke Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure said. “For women, this is an annual mammogram at the recommended age and the commitment to do breast self-exams each month.”

Survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer sky rocket when they are diagnosed at an early stage than when they are at a more distant stage with cancer spreading to organs. Because there is a 1-in-8 chance that a woman will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at some stage in her life, these standard tests such as yearly mammograms are vital to survival and early detection, according to Virginia Department of Health.

Within the 66.5 percent of women at the prime age of 40 to 49 to receive a mammogram in 2006, approximately 78 percent were insured. This leaves a substantial group of 48 percent receiving mammograms uninsured, according to the Virginia Cancer Registry at Virginia Department of Health.

The National Organization of Susan G. Komen for the Cure shows that fear of results, not having any family history of cancer and self image beliefs are prime factors halting women from having these screenings. Although, the greatest reason women today do not pursue these tests is due to affordability.

“It is important for all women to take steps toward a healthy lifestyle and practice preventive care,” Pace said.

Frequent screening and tests are a giant step toward preventing severe medical problems such as breast cancer. Without proper health insurance and the finances needed for these test, many women fall short in doing what they can in order to prevent such diseases.

For women who fall into the category of low annual income or lack health insurance, some programs are available to help. Virginia’s Department of Health offers such programs including the group, Every Woman’s Life. Adult women are able to apply to the program to receive help with free screening tests and examinations.

Breast cancer is a disease that takes many lives each year. Staying informed, getting annual screenings and exams and remaining aware are prime precautionary methods that medical officials suggest all women take.