THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996 TAG: 9606190129
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 77 lines
The National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Postal Service have joined forces to help educate women about breast cancer.
On Monday, 100 million postage stamps promoting awareness of breast cancer were issued as a tribute to women who have battled the disease and to call attention to the importance of early detection.
The National Cancer Institute's toll-free number, 1 (800) 4-CANCER, appears on the border of each 20-stamp sheet as a source of information for breast cancer.
Diane Nannery, a postal employee who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41, led the drive for the special stamp. Because of her experience, Nannery worked to make women more knowledgeable about cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment. She also encouraged women to choose health insurance that would assist them through the illness.
Rhoda S. Stillman, the Breast/Cervical Cancer Project health coordinator for Chesapeake General Hospital, said breast cancer is the most common cancer among women.
``The statistics are staggering. One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer,'' Stillman said.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, but breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55, Stillman said.
She emphasized the importance of breast self-examinations, mammograms and regular medical checkups.
``Early detection means a better cure,'' Stillman said.
Chesapeake residents Glenda G. Rose and Cathy C. Vellines believe that early detection saved their lives.
``There is no way to prevent cancer, but the earlier the detection the more favorable the treatment,'' Rose said.
On Monday, Stillman, Rose and Vellines were at the city's main post office on Battlefield Boulevard to answer questions, pass out brochures and to encourage women to have routine examinations.
Rose knows the importance of self-exams and regular doctors' appointments. Twenty years ago, her 56-year-old mother died from breast cancer. Five years ago on her birthday, Rose felt a lump in her own breast. Three days later she had a mastectomy.
This year she will mark five years as a cancer survivor.
In 1993, Vellines immediately saw her doctor after she found a lump in her breast. She had a mammogram and an ultrasound test, and was scheduled to see a surgeon. After a mastectomy, Vellines had six months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. This month she has been cancer-free for three years.
Vellines has a relative who is not so lucky. After detecting a problem, the 44-year-old woman delayed going to a doctor. Now, Vellines said, she is terminally ill.
``At first people were hesitant to talk about my experience, but I want everyone to know,'' Vellines said. ``If my story pushes just one woman to get checked or to seek medical attention, then it could save a life.''
Because of their experiences, Rose and Vellines work together to educate and to deliver their personal stories to other women in the community. Rose helped found a breast cancer support group that meets at Chesapeake General Hospital. Both women go regularly to the Chesapeake Care Free Clinic to teach women how to do breast examinations and to answer questions. Rose and Vellines are volunteers for the American Cancer Society and The Breast Cancer Awareness Program sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
The U.S. Postal Service is working also with the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, and the Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization as part of a comprehensive, public service campaign to educate people about the disease.
The Postal Service is also distributing four million brochures featuring the stories of four people affected by breast cancer and toll-free numbers for more information. MEMO: The Chesapeake Health Department has a Breast and Cervical
Early Detection Program. More information is available by calling
436-8710.
For information about Chesapeake General Hospital's Breast Cancer
Support Group, call 482-6188. ILLUSTRATION: [Photo of stamp] by CNB