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Covenant Health
Week of May 24, 1999 Page 1
Covenant Health Breast Centers Provide Free Seed Packets With Life-Saving Reminder
"Forget-Me-Nots" Plant Important Breast Cancer Prevention Message



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o remind women of the importance of good breast health, the Covenant Health Breast Centers are distributing free Forget-Me-Not flower seeds. The seed packets come with a reminder about the importance of good breast health and are imprinted with the three life-saving steps to prevention of breast cancer.

The Forget-Me-Not program emphasizes self-care and the importance of maintaining a regular breast cancer prevention routine, according to Linda Chapman, vice president of Covenant Health Women's Services. The packets remind women to practice monthly breast self-exams, to have a yearly physician's exam, and to have a baseline mammogram between ages 35 to 40 and an annual mammogram after age 40.

"Your health is literally in your hands," said Chapman. "Many women know they need to practice monthly breast self-exam, but they don't follow-through or they simply forget. With this program, we're giving women health information they need to practice good breast health and the Forget-Me-Not flowers as a lasting reminder to keep it up."

Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 180,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone, and an estimated 40,000 will die from it. Early detection is the best protection. Chapman said it is vital that women get the real facts about breast cancer prevention and that they use this knowledge wisely.

The Forget-Me-Not breast cancer prevention displays and free seed packets are available at some area businesses, many Covenant Health facilities, and the following Covenant Health breast centers:

Fort Sanders Parkwest Breast Center, located at Parkwest Medical Center, 9352 Park West Blvd., 694-5785

The Breast Center at Fort Sanders West, located at the Fort Sanders West Diagnostic Center, 210 Fort Sanders West Blvd., 531-5400

Oak Ridge Breast Center, located at the Westmall Medical Park, Suite 240, 200 New York Ave., Oak Ridge, 481-3087

Thompson Breast Center, located at the Thompson Cancer Survival Center, 1915 White Ave., 541-1624

For more information about the Forget-Me-Not campaign and for the Covenant Health facility providing mammography services nearest you please call the Covenant Health Information Line at 541-4500.

Breast Cancer Survivor Shares Story of Courage July 1

A special breast cancer survivor will share her story about cancer and coping at the Covenant Health education program Thursday, July 1 from 11:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. at the Frank R. Strang Senior Center. The learning program is part of a breast cancer awareness and prevention effort sponsored by the Breast Centers of Covenant Health.

Debby Calkins, a single mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 1997. The first emotion she felt was shock, and being just in her early 40s, she thought, "I'm too young to die. I won't let this happen." She experienced an emotional rollercoaster as she began to deal with acceptance of the diagnosis and then months of arduous treatment. Looking back on the experience, she says she went through the stages of grief that many people experience upon the loss of a loved one.

Debby will discuss the "The Grief Cycle" that she experienced and other coping skills she learned.

Women who have experienced breast cancer and those who are caregivers for people living with cancer will find this program encouraging. Health educators from the Breast Centers of Covenant Health will be on hand to answer questions about breast cancer and what you can do to prevent it.

 


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