In this Issue
Don’t Blow It Off: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime? Protect yourself and follow screening guidelines for early detection.
According the American Cancer Society, an estimated 192,370 women and 1,910 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2009 and 40,610 will die of the disease. If found early and treated before it spreads, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent for localized disease. Regular screening for breast cancer increases the likelihood of early diagnosis and survival. Breast self-exam is one way that you can get to know what is normal for your breasts. If you notice changes, see your health care professional right away.
Learn more about breast cancer prevention and screening.
Inaugural Step Away from Cancer 5KTM Walk/Run is Huge Success
On September 26, the Prevent Cancer Foundation hosted its first annual Step Away From Cancer 5K™ run/walk in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. with over 400 registered participants. Honorary chair and celebrity fitness guru Denise Austin led an energizing warm-up, along with trainers from the event’s fitness partner, Sport&Health. Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn participated in the race and Sen. and Mrs. Patrick Leahy of Vermont volunteered at the event. Eric Makovsky of Washington DC was the top male runner to finish the race and Eleanor Kerr of University Park, MD was the top female to finish the race. Eleanor volunteered the comment that it was the best-organized race of any distance that she’s participated in.
“The Step Away from Cancer 5K™ run/walk was a fantastic event! It was great to see people actively take steps to prevent cancer,” notes Denise Austin. “I was thrilled to lead the warm-up at the inaugural race!”
Many testimonials to its success were received and one that was particularly inspiring was from an individual from New Jersey who said that running a 5K with his daughter had been on his “bucket list.” Now that he’s done it, he said he would keep it on his list and come back next year!
The foundation would like to thank all our race partners and sponsors for making this event possible. PhRMA was a Silver Sponsor and GEICO®, Millennium-Takeda, the NACDS Foundation and Pricewaterhouse Coopers were Bronze Sponsors. Good Stuff Eatery was a Step Away from Cancer 5K™ race partner along with Sport&Health, Design Cuisine, Honest Tea, Georgetown Running Company, Luna, Coca-Cola, Giant Food, Costco Wholesale, Shoppers Food Warehouse, Reston Limousine, Subway® and D.C. United.
The Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ Makes the Rounds
In August, the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ made two important stops; the Missouri Black Expo and the National Cherokee Holiday in Oklahoma, bringing the important message that colorectal cancer is “Preventable, Treatable and Beatable!” These two significant stops represent the vital educational initiative that the Foundation implements through its colorectal cancer outreach - reaching out to African-American and Native American populations have higher rates of colorectal cancer. Through the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ exhibit and tour, the Foundation increases awareness among these populations about the importance of screening and education.
The Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ was on display for two days during the Missouri Black Expo in St. Louis, MO where over 1,200 visited the interactive exhibit. “This was an excellent venue for our exhibit, educating a population that knew little about colorectal cancer” says Katie Lapides, Manager of Public Affairs for the Foundation.
Moreover, the National Cherokee Holiday was celebrated on September 5 in Tahlequah, OK and the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ joined in on the festivities during the educational health fair. The Prevent Cancer Super ColonTM opened after a parade and the “State of the Nation” address from the Cherokee governor. As an added incentive, there were also drawings for prizes for individuals who came through.
“The event was a huge success and the education was very appreciated by the Cherokee people” says Jessica Abeita, Assistant Director of Research Administration and Community Outreach, who attended the exhibit and represented the Foundation.
Check out where the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ will be visiting next, or reserve it for your 2009 health fairs or events.
Walnuts Ward Off Cancer?
A preliminary study shows promise for reducing cancer risk.
By Brierley Wright
Walnuts are often called a "superfood"—studies link them with glucose control, strong bones and heart health. Now new research in the journal Nutrition and Cancer suggests walnuts may thwart the growth of breast cancer. In a study out of Marshall University School of Medicine in West Virginia, researchers substituted 18.5 percent of the diet of one group of mice with walnuts (equivalent to a human eating two ounces per day); the other group was fed a calorically equivalent, but walnut-free, diet. After 34 days, the growth rate of tumors in the walnut eaters was half that of the mice who ate no walnuts.
Experts think all types of cancer are linked to inflammation. Walnuts’ anti-inflammatory properties—which could come from the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, phytosterols or antioxidants—may give them their tumor-fighting potential. "Individually all three have been shown to suppress tumors—it could be just one or it could be all three working synergistically," explains Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., lead researcher and associate professor of biochemistry and microbiology at Marshall.
While the study results are promising, the research is preliminary. Plus, eating the study dose of two ounces supplies 370 calories, which is equivalent to what you’d get in 11⁄2 cups of whole-grain cereal, a cup of low-fat yogurt and an orange. Still, "walnuts can be part of a healthy diet that can reduce your risk for cancer," says Hardman.
© 2009 Eating Well Inc.
Heathy Recipe: This Warm Green Bean Salad with Toasted Walnuts makes a fine prelude to a hearty dinner. Walnut oil's distinctive flavor delivers a rich hit to the dressing.
Prevention at the Forefront of Health Care Reform
The debate about healthcare reform has been raging in Washington for months, and there is little anyone can agree on—however there are changes that can be made that can save lives while saving money at the same time.
As President Obama said in his speech to a joint session of Congress on September 9, 2009; "Insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies — because there’s no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse," Obama said. "That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.”
Coverage and access to screenings are often barriers to people who are uninsured and underinsured in preventing and detecting early many cancers, like breast and colorectal. While the healthcare debate continues there is legislation already introduced that can help remedy some of these issues.
One is HR1189, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act, which would create a federally funded screening program for the uninsured and underinsured. Pilot programs have already shown success, and expanding the program nationally could greatly impact survival rates from colorectal cancer, as well as costs for treatment. In fact, just last week, the results of a Dutch study appeared in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study reported that “Screening programs for colorectal cancer could cut the costs of future treatment in half.”
To support HR1189 and screening and preventative services in healthcare reform, or to learn more about the bill, please join our Advocacy Action Center.
In The News
Obesity On Verge of Becoming Top Cancer Cause
MSNBC
Study Isolated Virus In Chronic Fatigue Sufferers
Reuters
Stem Cell Research Offer Hope for Colon Cancer Vaccine
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Foundation News
Screen Your Boobs Sweepstakes
The next time you see a distinctively pink Vespa zooming by, it might just be one of the Vespa LX 50 scooters that over a dozen non-profit agencies devoted to battling breast cancer are adding to their autumn Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives. Through a partnership with Lifetime Network’s 15th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, “Stop Breast Cancer for Life: The Power of 15,” Vespa USA and the Foundation are bringing a boost of extra horsepower by donating a limited-edition pink Vespa.
Thanks to Vespa USA’s generous donation, the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Screen Your Boobs sweepstakes allows the public to enter for a chance to win a pink Vespa LX 50 .The sweepstakes hopes to educate women on breast cancer and encourage them to get screened while providing a chance to win the Pink Vespa LX 50. Screen You’re Boobs Sweepstakes entries will be accepted until Monday, November 23rd. The winner will be drawn on Monday, December 30th. Individuals have the option to donate when they enter to win the pink Vespa LX 50, but donations are not required.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of 15 exclusive partners selected by Lifetime Television because of the Foundation’s extraordinary cancer prevention work and education. The Foundation continues to fight cancer with efforts to detect the disease early – and stop it before it strikes.
Log on to www.preventcancer.org to find out how you can enter to win a fun VESPA LX 50.
Celebrating 16 Years of Screening at the Kansas State Fair
2009 marks 16th year the Foundation sponsored the Health Awareness and Screening Booth at the Kansas State Fair., The booth was kicked off by an op-ed by Senator Bob Dole to the Hutchinson News. His passionate support in 1993 opened the door to this sixteen year relationship between the Kansas State Fair and the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
“I hope Kansans will join me at the Prevent Cancer Foundation booths…to learn about prostate cancer screening and take the first step toward cancer prevention,” encouraged former Sen. Dole in his op-ed. This year, the Kansas state fair ran from September 11– 20, 2009; several thousand men were screened for prostate cancer.
The State Fair program started in Kansas in 1993, when the Foundation partnered with Senator Bob Dole and the Hutchinson Clinic to bring free PSA tests to screen for prostate cancer for men eligible under screening guidelines. The booth continues to be staffed by doctors, nurses, and other health professionals from the Hutchinson Clinic, answer questions and provide screening guidelines and other critical information on what men and their families can do to reduce their risk of cancer. Since 1993, the program expanded across the country to four states.
According to the American Cancer Society, over 192,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 27,000 men will die in 2009 – making it the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. (This number represents a decrease of nearly one-half of the deaths from prostate cancer since the early 90s.) Some experts encourage men at average risk to have prostate screening starting at age 50. The Prevent Cancer Foundation offers the screening option and health education as well at State Fairs across the country.
Mac Heist Bundles Help Support Charities
New Hampshire based Mac Heist designated the Prevent Cancer Foundation as a benefitting charity for its recent software bundling campaign. Mac Heist, founded by John Casasanta and Phil Ryu, works to provide bundled software and shareware to the Mac community. Since its inception, Mac Heist has not only bundled software, but bundled giving back to the community in the business plan. As promoted in every campaign, Mac Heist has pledge to donate 25% of each sale to charities and has stayed true to that commitment. Only in its third year of promotion, Mac Heist has already donated almost $225,000.00 to the Foundation.
Their first year program was so successful it was called “One of the greatest Mac software deals in history,” explains Phil Ryu. Their services have gone beyond all expectation and have continued to grow every year.
Mac Heist’s contributions to the Prevent Cancer Foundation have assisted the Foundation in its mission of research, education and community outreach. As the message of cancer prevention moves to the front of the health care conversation, support from innovative friends like Mac Heist helps to show the benefit of cause-related marketing partnerships and the many different ways people can get involved in helping to raise funds for cancer prevention.
Upcoming Events
The Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ continues its national tour!
The Prevent Cancer Super Colon will make more than 90 stops this year, including some rural, minority and underserved communities where screening rates are low. Check our site often for updates to the 2009 schedule and reservations for 2010.
Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Spring Gala
March 12, 2010
The 2010 Spring Gala will be held at the National Building Museum and will celebrate the country of India. For more information, please contact Linda Chastain at linda.chastain@preventcancer.org.
12th Annual Dialogue for Action™ Conference in Colorectal Cancer Screening
March 24-26, 2010
Baltimore, MD
The Prevent Cancer Foundation convenes an annual national Dialogue for Action™ conference, which focuses on increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening as part of a comprehensive and coordinated cancer prevention strategy. For more information visit www.preventcancer.org.
6th Annual Capitol Hill Poker Tournament
May 4, 2010
The 6th Annual Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold’em Tournament at Union Station in Washington, D.C. is the nation's capital's hottest poker tournament. For more information contact Jan Mahrer at jan.mahrer@preventcancer.org.