Fillmore, CA - The probability of a woman being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her life is about one in eight. And, the probability of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer death rates are going down, the Association says, which is probably a result of finding the cancer earlier and receiving improved treatment.
That is why Curves' locations, including the ones in the Fillmore area, are encouraging women to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Women who bring in a mammogram, performed within the last year, or make a
$25 donation to the American Cancer Society will be waived from paying a service fee when they join Curves during one of the last three weeks of October. Also, participating Curves locations will make available a unique home breast self-exam kit called the Liv Aid, which makes the breast self-exam process more sensitive for detecting unusual lumps. For every Liv Aid kit sold, Curves will donate one to another woman who can't afford one.
"Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women worldwide, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention," says Curves founder Diane Heavin. "Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast-exams, we are also educating Fillmore-area community members about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise."
Based on recent information released about breast cancer, Heavin has provided the following advice for local women regarding breast self-exams:
How can women exercise good breast health?
Most women who think of screening for breast cancer think of mammograms, but there are three ways to screen for breast cancer: mammography, clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional and breast self-exams.
When combined, they offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.
How important is early detection?
Early detection means the availability of more treatment options. More than
95 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages are more likely to be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment, Heavin said.
How important are breast self-exams?
Breast self-exams catch a significant number of breast cancers, some 15 to 20 percent, that otherwise might have gone undetected for possibly up to a year between doctor visits, Heavin said. And, about 80 percent of breast cancers not discovered by mammography are found by women themselves.
Through breast self-exams, women are in the position to detect subtle changes in their breast tissue.
Recent research has linked obesity and excess weight with an increased risk for various cancers, including breast cancer. According to Heavin, Curves has been a long-committed partner in the fight against cancer, raising millions of dollars annually for research, treatment, and recovery programs.
The company has helped millions of women around the world lose millions of pounds and move away from all types of diseases.
"When women understand that one-third of all breast cancer can be related to lack of exercise and poor diet, they'll see that they have the opportunity to have much more control over their cancer risk," Heavin said. "We want to encourage women to learn more about the impact wellness has on preventing cancer."
For more information about Curves or what week in October the locations are waiving their service fees, contact:
* Denise Johnson, Curves of Fillmore located at 410 Central Avenue, at
805-524-0337 or 97ATXZY@curvesmail.com
* Lark Shillig, Curves of Frazier Park located at 3516 Mt. Pinos Way, at
661-245-3234 or 972Y05RU9@curvesmail.com
* Dennis White, Curves of Moorpark located at 229 W. Los Angeles Avenue, at
805-530-1405 or 97O1XZA3@curvesmail.com
* Charles Plummer, Curves of Ojai located at 236 W. Ojai Ave., #201, at 805-640-0110 or 9ZAVCS6N@curvesmail.com
* Gilbert Barajas, Curves of Port Hueneme located at 341 W. Channel Islands Blvd., at 805-985-7423 or 97S15RU9@curvesmail.com
* Denise Johnson, Curves of Santa Paula located at 922 E. Main Street, at
805-525-1062 or 97ATXZLK@curvesmail.com
* Penny Donswyk, Curves of Ventura located at 2611 E. Thompson Blvd., Ste.
105, at 805-641-9600 or 9BJ1E4LK@curvesmail.com
* Christy Patterson, Curves of Ventura located at 7730 Telegraph Rd., Ste.
C, at 805-647-5800 or 9Z2Y0S6A3@curvesmail.com
About Curves
Curves works every major muscle group with a complete 30-minute workout that combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity through safe and effective hydraulic resistance. Curves also works to help women lose weight, gain muscle strength and aerobic capacity, and raise metabolism with its groundbreaking, scientifically proven method that ends the need for perpetual dieting. Founders Gary and Diane Heavin are considered the innovators of the express fitness phenomenon that has made exercise available to around 4 million women globally, many of whom are in the gym for the first time. With nearly 10,000 locations worldwide, Curves is the world's largest fitness franchise. For more information, please
visit: www.curves.com.
