New Coalition Created to Help Breast Cancer Survivors Gain Access to Products Designed to Improve Their Quality of Life

A national coalition of patient advocates, physicians, business groups, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders, has been created to help breast cancer survivors gain better access to high quality prostheses and related post-surgical items. Known as Because We CARE (Breast Cancer Survivor Coalition for the Advancement, Reform and Equity), the coalition, a non-profit organization (www.becausewecarecoalition.com) launched this week with the support of U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey, MD (R-GA). Gingrey spent more than 25 years in a successful OB-GYN practice in Georgia and is an advocate of women's health issues.

"It is time for members of congress to recognize that current Medicare formulas have created a system that deprives many breast cancer survivors and others in need of products and services that can help them move on with their lives. The coalition is a great way to draw attention to this issue," said Gingrey.

Organizations supporting the coalition include Amoena USA Corporation and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. In addition to national support, other organizations include Willie's Specialty Shop in Orange, CA, Late Bloomers in San Mateo, CA, New Day's Dawn in Santee, CA, The Profile Shop in PA, Special Lady Boutique in KY, A Place For Her in FL, Touching You in AL, Enhance by Linda Reib in CA, Barbara Graves Intimate Fashion in AR, and The Pink Petal in South Hadley, MA.

"We joined forces to create this Coalition because we all are extremely dedicated to providing breast cancer survivors with better access to products that will give them the quality of life they deserve," said Bonnie Marshall, patient advocate and breast cancer survivor. "We also understand the issues affecting women's healthcare coverage and the importance of gaining access to breast prostheses, symmetry shapers and other post surgical items. We want to raise awareness of the issues facing women affected by breast cancer and work toward removing barriers that inhibit them from maintaining their dignity and improving their quality of life."

After having surgery to treat breast cancer, many survivors struggle to regain the quality of life they experienced before their diagnosis. Health care research has found that the sooner women can feel whole again, and regain their sense of femininity, the sooner they will be able to move on with their lives.

High quality, doctor-prescribed external breast prostheses can assist a high percentage of the 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States in achieving this goal. However, due to the formula created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), coverage of breast prostheses differs from state to state. Regardless of health care coverage -- commercial or Medicare -- these disparities effectively limit choice and may deprive women of the best available breast forms and related supplies.

For additional information on Because We Care members and legislative outreach, visit www.becausewecarecoalition.com.

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New CDC Study Finds Community Physical Activity Programs Are Money Well Spent

Community-based physical activity interventions designed to promote more active lifestyles among adults are cost-effective in reducing heart disease, stroke, colorectal and breast cancers, and type 2 diabetes, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Using a rigorous economic model developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of community-based physical activity interventions, the study found these interventions to be cost-effective; reducing new cases of many chronic diseases and improving quality of life.

Researchers found that community-based physical activity programs appeared to reduce new cases of disease by: 5-15 cases per 100,000 people for colon cancer; 15-58 cases per 100,000 for breast cancer; 59-207 cases per 100,000 for type 2 diabetes; and 140-476 cases per 100,000 for heart disease.

Community-based physical activity interventions broadly fall under the following strategies:

-- Community campaigns such as mass communication efforts (TV/radio,
newspapers, billboards, advertisements).
-- Social support networks such as exercise groups to encourage behavior
change.
-- Tailored behavior change to encourage people to set physical activity
goals and monitor their individual progress.
-- Enhanced access to services that support active lifestyles such as
fitness centers, bike paths and walking trails.


"Our study found that public health strategies that promote physical activity are cost effective, and compared with other well-accepted prevention strategies, such as treatment for high cholesterol or motor vehicle air bags, offer good value for the money spent," said Larissa Roux, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study.

The study, "Cost Effectiveness of Community-Based Physical Activity Intervention," is being published in the online version of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

"This study supports the value and effectiveness of the physical activity interventions that were studied," said William Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. "This study also shows the importance of the new physical activity guidelines put forth last month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services."

The HHS guidelines recommend:
-- Two and a half hours each week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity,
such as brisk walking or,
-- An hour and 15 minutes each week of vigorous-intensity aerobic
activity such as jogging or running.


In addition, all adults should include muscle strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups on two or more days per week.

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity funds programs in 23 states designed to prevent obesity and promote healthy lifestyle habits such as physical activity.

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Seminars Offered to Low Income Women During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• Oct. 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., English, Mercer University Life Religious Center, 1550 College St., Macon
• Oct. 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., English, Middle Georgia Technical College, 80 Cohen Walker Dr., Warner Robins
• Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., English, Southside Community Church, 4162 Roy Ave., Macon
• Oct. 24, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., English, Middle Georgia Technical Institute Adult Education Center, 700 Spruce St., Fort Valley
• Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., English, Mercer University, Religious Life Center, 1550 College St., Macon

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in order to help women become aware and find breast cancer in its early stages, the Mercer University School of Medicine’s will provide several breast health awareness seminars to women living in Central Georgia. Breast cancer has been increasing at an alarming rate with current estimates indicating that 1-in-8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetimes. It is the leading cause of death of American women between the ages of 40 and 55.

The seminars, sponsored by the School’s Department of Community Medicine, will teach women why and how to perform breast self-exam, and what should prompt them to make an appointment with their personal physician for confirmation.

A free luncheon will be provided to women participants, and a door prize will be offered. Moreover, some of the women participants will be offered a coupon for a free mammogram examination.

“Getting diagnosed at an early stage is very important because early detection is crucial not only to the ‘survivorship’ of a patient, but to her quality of life while treating the cancer, and thereafter,” according to Fan Chen, M.D., in the Department of Community Medicine. “For many patients, early detection could mean not having to lose a breast through mastectomy or not having to experience aggressive chemotherapy.”

Earlier this year, Mercer offered two seminars for Spanish speaking women. All the seminars are sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

The schedule of the seminars is listed below, with the language offered and location. More seminars in Chinese may be given in October to December. For more information about the seminars, call Mercer University Department of Community Medicine at (478) 301-4053.

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News to Use in Fayetteville, Macon, Atlanta, Peachtree City, and all of Georgia

B98.5FM's 'Tickled Pink' Event to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate

PRNewswire/ -- Breast cancer is no laughing matter, but B98.5FM wants its listeners to get "Tickled Pink" about attending an evening of laughs and entertainment while supporting a worthy cause. Building on a successful launch event, B98.5FM today announced its second annual "Tickled Pink" fundraising affair for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate will take place on October 18th.

Held at the Cobb Galleria Center, the festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction and will be followed by dinner and entertainment at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 and corporate tables (10 seats) can be purchased for $950.

Attendees will be greeted by familiar voices as B98.5FM's Steve McCoy, Jordan Graye and Kelly McCoy host the event. Entertainment will be provided by comedian Elayne Boosler -- known for opening new doors to women in comedy. Boosler was the first female to get her own comedy special on cable when Showtime aired "Party of One." To date, she has headlined seven cable specials, as well as written, directed, and acted in two half-hour movies: "Comedy From Here" and "The Call."

"Breast cancer is an illness that has touched nearly every American in some way," said David Meszaros, vice president and general manager of B98.5FM and 97.1 The River. "B98.5FM is committed to providing strong community support, and we are thrilled to team up with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate. Through comedy, this event's contributions will go toward finding a cure."

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Georgia, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate estimates that 4,520 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Georgia in 2008.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate raises funds to enable women to detect and survive breast cancer. Since its inception Komen Atlanta has raised more than $20 million for the fight against breast cancer. Seventy-five percent of all funds raised by the Affiliate stays in Atlanta to fund breast health programs for women who would not otherwise have access to screening and treatment. Twenty-five percent of funds raised supports the national Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program.

WellStar Health Systems, Kroger and Comcast are standing up with B98.5FM to support this evening of entertainment and celebration. For information regarding donations, silent auction participation and sponsorship information, please contact Andrew Rudd at Andrew.rudd@coxradio.com. Overall event information can be obtained by visiting www.b985.com.

FDA Approves New Genetic Test for Patients with Breast Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a novel genetic test for determining whether patients with breast cancer are good candidates for treatment with the drug Herceptin (trastuzumab).

The SPOT-Light HER2 CISH kit is a test that measures the number of copies of the HER2 gene in tumor tissue. This gene regulates the growth of cancer cells.

A healthy breast cell has two copies of the HER2 gene, which sends a signal to cells, telling them when to grow, divide and make repairs. Patients with breast cancer may have more copies of this HER2 gene, prompting them to overproduce HER2 protein so that more signals are sent to breast cells. As a result, the cells grow and divide much too quickly.

“When used with other clinical information and laboratory tests, this test can provide health care professionals with additional insight on treatment decisions for patients with breast cancer,” said Daniel Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The SPOT-Light test counts the number of HER2 genes in a small sample of removed tumor. The removed piece is stained with a chemical that causes any HER2 genes in the sample to change color. This color change can be visualized under a standard microscope, eliminating the need for the more expensive and complex fluorescent microscopes required to read assays already on the market. Unlike existing tests, the SPOT-Light allows labs to store the tissue for future reference.

Patients who over-produce HER2 protein are typically treated with the drug Herceptin, which targets HER2 protein production. This helps to stop the growth of HER2 cancer cells.

The FDA based its approval of the SPOT-Light test on a study using tumor samples from patients with breast cancer in the United States and Finland. These studies confirmed that the test was effective in determining how many HER2 genes were in these patients.

SPOT-Light is manufactured by Invitrogen Corp. of Carlsbad, Calif. Herceptin is manufactured by Genentech, of San Francisco, Calif.

Outreach Initiatives Lead to Shift in Stage of Breast Cancer Diagnosis in African-American Women

Researchers at Emory University have determined that community education outreach and internal navigation programs lead to a significant shift in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer among African-American women.

Sheryl Gabram, MD, an Emory Winship Cancer Institute surgical oncologist, and her colleagues report a doubling in the proportion of cases caught at the earliest stage and a nearly reciprocal drop in the proportion of cancers at most advanced stage in African-American women who participated in community education or internal navigation programs.

The research suggests that initiatives aimed at raising awareness and utilization of breast cancer screening may improve breast cancer survival rates for African-American women, who have a higher risk of death from the disease compared to whites. The study is published on line this month and in the August 1, 2008 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

A disproportionate number of deaths from breast cancer occur in African-American women, a disparity attributed to later stage of disease at diagnosis and diagnosis at an earlier age. Treatment differences may also contribute to the higher risk of mortality.

To assess the effectiveness of outreach programs on breast cancer stage among African-American women, Dr. Gabram, who also is director of the AVON Comprehensive Breast Center at the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, reported on a program implemented in 2001 with two components: Community Health Advocacy and Patient Navigation. The Community Health Advocacy component includes public educational programs that encourage mammography screening, teach the importance of breast self exams, and instruct individuals to see a trained healthcare provider.

The Patient Navigation component involves breast cancer survivors who communicate directly with all patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the AVON Breast Center. Patient Navigators (PNs) encourage patients to follow-up with recommended medical care and access needed resources such as finances, transportation, and support services.

Between 2001 and 2004, the program conducted a total of 1,148 community interventions for more than 10,000 participants. During that same time period, a total of 487 patients were identified, diagnosed, and treated for breast cancer at the AVON Comprehensive Breast Center (89 percent African American, 5 percent Caucasian, 2 percent Hispanic, and 4 percent other race/ethnicity).

Dr. Gabram and her team found that there was a doubling in the proportion of Stage 0 non-invasive breast cancers (from 12.4 percent to 25.8 percent) over the study period, while the proportion of women diagnosed with Stage IV invasive breast cancers dropped from 16.8 percent to 9.4 percent.

"This reciprocal deviation of Stage 0 versus Stage IV cancers has implications on prognosis, and ultimately outcome for these women if recommended treatment guidelines are followed," say the authors. They, along with leadership from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health team, are currently conducting studies to see if the Patient Navigation program successfully influences patients to accept treatment recommendations and to adhere to appointments after they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Research has revealed that many patients with breast cancer refuse or do not receive appropriate therapy.

The authors concluded that programs with Community Health Advocates (CHAs) who encourage mammography screening and stress the importance of early diagnosis should be jointly emphasized with the efforts of the Patient Navigators (PNs) who encourage acceptance of and adherence to treatment standards.

Article: "Effects of an outreach and internal navigation program on breast cancer diagnosis in an urban cancer center with a large African-American population." Sheryl G.A. Gabram, Mary Jo B. Lund, Jessica Gardner, Nadjo Hatchett, Harvey L. Bumpers, Joel Okoli, Monica Rizzo, Barbara J Johnson, Gina B Kirkpatrick, and Otis W. Brawley. CANCER; Published Online: June 23, 2008 (DOI: 10.002/cncr.23568); Print Issue Date: August 1, 2008.