JUST THE FACTS

JUST THE FACTS
Detection guidelines
About 500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, and about the same number will die of breast cancer in 2002 in the tricounty area.
RISK FACTORS
Gender, age and family or personal history of breast cancer. Of women diagnosed with breast cancer, 79 percent are 50 and older and 95 percent of women are 40 and older.
SCREENING
The ACS recommends that women age 40 and older have annual mammograms and clinical breast examinations by a health-care professional. Women between ages 20 and 39 should have a clinical breast examination by a health-care professional every three years, and women 20 and older should perform breast self-examinations every month. Women with a family history of breast cancer should discuss their screening schedule with their health-care providers.
TREATMENT
Treatments vary widely depending on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the age and medical history of the patient, and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
MAHONING VALLEY ACS PROGRAMS
B.E.S.T: Free mammograms are provided to women ages 40-64 who meet eligibility guidelines.
Cancer Survivors Network: Cancer survivors may communicate to other survivors through the Internet or by telephone.
I Can Cope: Provides cancer education and support information to cancer patients through a series of classes on topics such as pain management, nutrition and financial matters.
Look Good ... Feel Better: Helps women cope with the appearance-related side-effects of cancer treatment, such as hair loss and skin changes.
Navigator Plus Program: Trained volunteers talk to breast cancer patients about their battle with the disease, what obstacles to expect and ways to overcome them.
Reach to Recovery: Volunteer drivers who help mobile cancer patients to and from cancer treatments.
Tell a Friend: Training volunteers contact women they know to encourage them to get a mammogram.
Web site: www.cancer.org; or call the toll-free number at (800) 227-6446.
MAHONING VALLEY BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS
FOCUS: Mahoning County, meets the fourth Wednesday in January, March, May, July and September, and the third Wednesday in November, at 7 p.m. at the ACS officer, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield.
BEACON: Trumbull County, meets monthly on the fourth Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Health Care Center, 667 Eastland Ave. S.E., Warren.
Sisters Through Sharing: Northern Columbiana County, meets monthly on the last Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Salem Public Library, 821 E. State St.
East Liverpool Breast Cancer Support Group: Southern Columbiana County, meets the first Tuesday, except January and February, at 7 p.m. at Dawson Family Center, 220 W. Fifth St.
Source: Mahoning Valley American Cancer Society