THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410050167
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: E12D EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Health Briefs
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
The Chesapeake Health District is participating in a Virginia Department of Health program whose goal is to increase access to breast cancer screening for women over age 50, especially those in minority and low-income groups.
A breast self-examination program will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Prince of Peace Church on Cedar Road.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Virginia women under age 65. In 1992, 990 women died of the disease.
Less than half, 46 percent, of the breast cancer cases reported among African-American women in Virginia were diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, compared with 58 percent for white women and 68 percent among Asian women.
Chesapeake Health District has received a grant to collect and analyze data, to purchase educational materials, to establish a client tracking and follow-up system and to cover expenses of a statewide coalition.
Rhoda Stillman, coordinator of the program, recommends that women over age 50 get a mammogram every 1-2 years. She suggests also that women conduct monthly self-breast examinations and have an annual clinical breast exam when they see their physicians.
More information is available by calling 547-9213. by CNB