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By JESSE HELLINGMessenger city editorBreast cancer is the most

frequently diagnosednon-skin cancer inwomen, and rankssecond among caus-es of cancer deathsin women after lungcancer.

It is estimated thatmore than 39,000Americans will dieof breast cancer in2011.

However, breastcancer is not a deathsentence, said Liddy Hora,community relations direc-tor for the American CancerSociety in Fort Dodge.

If detected early, 98 per-cent of breast cancerpatients will survive at leastfive years, according toHora.

When someone receivesthe dread diagnosis of can-cer, Hora said that it is oftendifficult to know where toturn.

The American CancerSociety serves as a forststop, so to speak, for cancerpatients, Hora said.

To begin with, the CancerSociety’s hotline is avail-able 24 hours a day, sevendays a week, 365 days ayear to answer any and allquestions, Hora said.

“You could call them attwo o’clock in the morningon Christmas Eve and you’d

still get someone,” she said.The hotline, a service of

the ACS Cancer ResourceNetwork, encom-passes a huge data-base of local supportgroups and servicesthroughout theUnited States.

“Often, it’s hardfor people, especiallyin small communi-ties, to know whereto turn,” Hora said.

“The major thingis to take action,” shesaid. “People need to

know that you are not alone... there are resources outthere.”

Since 1971, theAmerican Cancer Societyhas provided more than$450 million in breast can-cer research grants.

In Webster County, theannual Relay for Life con-tinues to contribute towardthat figure.

On Jne 24, the 2011Relay for Life was held atDodger Stadium.

The 1,800 participantsraised a total of $86,776,which surpassed the goal of$71,500.

Next year’s relay is setfor June 22, 2012, Horasaid.

“The committee hasalready met and set a goal of$100,000,” she said. “Ihave no doubt we’ll be ableto do it.”

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

2 The Messenger • Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 The Daily Freeman-Journal • Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011

‘You are not alone’

PArticiPAnts in tHe 2011 reLAy for Life of Webster county gather at Dodger Stadium on June24. More than $86,000 was riased by 1,800 participants organized into 37 teams for the event.

-Messenger file photo

Liddy Hora

Resources areavailable for thosefighting cancer

At a glance

The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Resource Network offers adatabase of information available through a free information hotlinemanned around the clock by cancer information experts, we can helppatients find clinical trials, answers to their financial and insurance-related questions, and put them in touch with local supportgroups.

Information can be obtained by calling(800) 227-2345 or at www.cancer.org

Honoring Loved Ones Who Have Lost Their

Battle With Breast Cancer.

In Loving Memory Karen L.

Condon Reeder 4/6/67 to 5/24/07

Karen, you left your footprints on our hearts and we will never be the same.

Love You Always dear girl!

Your family

In Loving Memory Abby Jean

9/4/81 to 2/22/07

You taught us to embrace life. You inspired us all

with your strength, courage and compassion

for others. With love always, Mom, Gary, Katie,

Grandma C & Poo’s

Remembering Our Beloved Daughter Pam Law

11/19/52 to 10/08/06

No one knows the silent heartaches, Only those who have loved can tell.

The grief we bear in silence for the one we

loved so well. Deeply missed and

lovingly remembered by Mom & Dad and family

In Loving Memory Sheila Ann

Caldwell 12/4/57 to 12/4/99

Our hearts still ache because you are gone.

We love & miss you so much.

Love, Cory, Kit, Aleah, Drew, Jess & Kate

In Loving Memory Debbie

Hofbauer 8/2/55 to 11/15/08

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you and wonder

why you had to go. You were the best sister ever.

Luann

In Honor of Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon

Boat Team

In Loving Memory Abby Deal

9/4/81 to 8/18/06

You gave us the strength to make the Fighting Angels

Abreast Dragon Boat team a reality. You never made it

into the boat but you are always with us.

Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon boat Team

In Loving Memory Sandi Rogers

7/9/41 - 12/14/08

You were with us from the start. We will always

treasure your undeniable enthusiasm for life. We miss

your smile in the boat. Fighting Angels Abreast

Dragon boat Team

All of you are an inspiration to us. Thank you for your support of other survivors

and promoting early detection.

Tom, Linda & Barb


The Messenger • Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 The Daily Freeman-Journal • Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 3

The AmericanCancer Society’sphone lines are openevery minute of everyday to help give peo-ple the answers theyneed about cancer.Each year, ACS pro-vides free informationand support to thenearly one million

people who call us at(800) 227-2345.

Get informationCancer Information

Specialists are avail-able 24/7 to answerquestions about:

∫ Specific cancers∫ Treatment options∫ Side effects

∫ Coping with can-cer

∫ Medicines∫ Pain control∫ Clinical trials∫ Prevention∫ Screening∫ Quitting tobacco

Locate resourcesThere are many local

and national resourcesavailable to cancerpatients. Referrals canbe made to:

∫ Patient services∫ Support groups∫ Social services∫ Medical equip-

ment∫ Wigs and prosthe-

ses

∫ Transportation∫ Lodging∫ Financial pro-

grams∫ Quitline

Join the FightParticipation makes

a difference in thelives of patients and inthe fight against can-

cer. The ACS hotlinecan inform people howto:

∫ Find local eventssuch as Relay For Lifeand Making StridesAgainst Breast Cancer

∫ Find volunteeropportunities in yourcommunity

∫ Make a donation

Need answers? Call the American Cancer Society hotline



∫ Breast cancer isthe most frequentlydiagnosed non-skincancer in women, andranks second amongcauses of cancerdeaths in women (afterlung cancer).

∫ It is estimatedthat more than 39,000Americans will die ofbreast cancer in 2011.

∫ Mammographycan identify breastcancer at an earlystage, usually beforephysical symptomsdevelop when the dis-ease is most treatable.

∫ More women hav-ing mammograms canmean more womencelebrating morebirthdays.

∫ Ninety-eight per-cent of patients whosecancer has not spreadbeyond the breast atthe time of diagnosiswill survive at leastfive years.

∫ Yearly mammo-grams are recom-mended starting at age40 and continuing foras long as a woman isin good health.

∫ Women canchoose to put theirhealth first and lowertheir risk of develop-ing breast cancer bymaintaining a healthybody weight, engagingin regular physicalactivity, reducingalcohol consumption

∫ The AmericanCancer Society offersfree services to peoplefacing breast cancer,including transporta-tion, lodging, guid-ance through everystep of the cancerexperience, and infor-mation to help themmake decisions abouttheir care.

∫ Trained AmericanCancer Society volun-teers who are alsobreast cancer sur-vivors provide one-on-one support tonewly diagnosedpatients through theSociety’s Reach toRecovery program.

∫ The Society andits advocacy affiliate,the American CancerSociety Cancer ActionNetwork, advocate forimportant legislationand public programsthat provide increasedaccess to breast cancerscreenings, outreachand education, follow-up care and treatmentfor all people.

∫ ACSCAN contin-ues to fight backagainst breast cancerby engaging in activi-ties to increase fund-ing for the NationalBreast and CervicalCancer EarlyDetection Programthat provides low-income, uninsured andunderinsured women

access to mammo-grams, Pap tests, fol-low-up care and treat-ment. To get involvedplease visita c s c a n . o r g / b r e a s t -cancer.

The AmericanCancer Society cantake you beyondbreast cancer aware-ness and into action.

∫ The AmericanCancer Society offersmany ways to fightbreast cancer and savelives year-round,

including MakingStrides Against BreastCancer events, freeemail mammogramreminders, volunteerand giving opportuni-ties, and joining withthe American CancerSociety Cancer ActionNetwork to helpincrease funding formammograms and fol-low-up care.

∫ The Society hasspent more on breastcancer research thanon any other cancer,having invested more

than $450 million inbreast cancer researchgrants since 1971.Many of the Society’sbasic cancer researchprojects also have apotential benefit forbreast cancer.

∫ Women canreduce breast cancerrisk and stay well byhaving an annualmammogram at age40 or older, maintain-ing a healthy weight,being physicallyactive and limitingalcohol intake.

∫ The AmericanCancer SocietyMaking StridesAgainst Breast Cancerevent unites communi-ties across the nationto save lives frombreast cancer and pro-vides hope to peoplefacing the disease.Since 1993, nearlyseven million walkershave raised more than$400 million throughMaking Strides. Tolearn more or join themovement, visit can-cer.org/stridesonline.

The facts:

PArticiPAnts in tHe 2011 MAking stirdes AgAinst breAst cAncer event in Des Moines in Mayare shown in this photo. According to Liddy Hora, community relations director for the American CancerSociety in Fort Dodge, such events in Des Moines and Mason City draw a large number of participants fromFort Dodge.

-Submitted photo

(AP) From coaches'caps to players' cleatsand officials' whistles,the NFL is going pink.

In support of breastcancer awareness, thecolor will be worn on thefield and on the sidelinesduring games throughoutOctober. The league andits players collaboratedwith the AmericanCancer Society for aninitiative remindingwomen 40 and olderabout the importance ofhaving an annual mam-mogram.

Country star MartinaMcBride sang the nation-al anthem flanked by

dozens of breast cancersurvivors before theRavens' game inBaltimore on Sundaynight against the NewYork Jets.

Footballs includedpink ribbon decals, as didthe padding for goalposts, and the color wassplashed on fields allaround the NFL.

There was a large pinkbow in the middle of thefield during the nationalanthem before NewEngland's game atOakland. Patriots quar-terback Tom Brady wasamong many who hadpink towels hanging

from their waists.Philadelphia's Michael

Vick wore a padded pinkglove on his bruised non-throwing right hand inthe Eagles' game againstSan Francisco.

In San Diego, theChargers had dashes ofpink in the "San Diego"and "Chargers" that werepainted in the end zones.Chargers nose tackleAntonio Garay took histribute a step further,having a pink ribbonshaved into the left sideof his head.

Many of the defendingSuper Bowl championGreen Bay Packers wore

pink-and-white glovesand pink-and-blackshoes, including ClayMatthews, running backJames Starks and safety

Charlie Peprah.Quarterback AaronRodgers had a pinkwristband on his left armduring the game againstDenver.

Arizona's LarryFitzgerald, a spokesman

for the league-wideawareness for women tobe regularly tested for theillness, wore pink shoesin the Cardinals' loss tothe New York Giants. Hismother died of the dis-ease.

October is National Breast Cancer

Awareness Month. Thankfully, early detection through

self-examination and mammograms is bringing about a

decline in breast cancer deaths. We encourage all women to get

regular mammograms and learn the techniques of

self-examination.

Early Detection Is Your Best Protection

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Early Detection Saves Lives, do yourself and a loved one a favor,

make your doctor appointment today.

Supporting survivors and honoring loved ones lost to breast cancer

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NFL goes pink for breast cancer awareness Football teams don distinctive color to mark month

Fighting Angels Abreast

Occupation: BCS Dragon Boat Team Year started: 2005 The Fighting Angels Abreast Team is a group of Breast Cancer Survivors and their supporters. We have entered races in the United States and Canada, with our boat consisting of 18/20 paddlers, a drummer, steersman, and sometimes a flag catcher. We not only race dragon boats, we promote our successes of early detection and seek to be a support group for all diagnosed with breast cancer. We welcome both dragon boat paddlers and those that choose to be “social helper” members. Some of the team’s community involvement includes putting together our “We Care” pink bags which are given to the Trinity Cancer Center for distribution to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and donating “pink gift baskets” to fundraisers, including D/SAOC cake auction, YWCA Holiday Showcase, Red Cross, Angel Ride, and others. The team orgainzed a silent auction fundraiser for the capital campaign, “Every Option, Every Hope”, for the new Trinity Cancer Center, and has also done fundraisers to provide Trinity Cancer Center’s breast cancer patients with uninsured services, such as wigs, scarves, transportation, etc. As a team, we participate in Relay for Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and other cancer awareness events in which we can be the faces of early detection success and share the positive outcomes of such. The Fighting Angels Abreast BCS team is here to support each other and all Breast Cancer patients and survivors. We believe in honoring our own survival by inspiring hope in others.



New Cancer Centerto open at TRMC in

summer of 2012

JuLie bArkeMA, Left, an RN and Rachel Rosenboom, a secretary, look overa rendition of the new Cancer Center to be built at Trinity Regional Medical Center,which will provide on-site cancer treatment options not currently available.

-Messenger file photo

In June, ground wasbroken for TrinityRegional MedicalCenter’s new CancerCenter.

The facility willhouse the hospital’slinear accelerator, thepresence of which willallow Trinity to pro-vide comprehensivecancer treatment. Thecenter will centralizeTRMC’s cancer treat-ment programs in asingle location. Inaddition to radiationoncology, it will pro-vide access to cancer

prevention, screening,diagnosis, counseling,education, chemother-apy and follow-upcare.

The new cancer cen-ter will be built as anaddition to TrinityRegional MedicalCenter. It will beapproximately 9,500square feet-6,770 ofwhich will be newconstruction. In addi-tion to housing a lin-ear accelerator to pro-vide radiation oncolo-gy, the cancer centerwill also provide

access to cancer pre-vention, screening,diagnosis, counseling,education, radiation,chemotherapy and fol-low-up care.

Total costs for theproject are estimatedto be $8.5 million;Trinity RegionalMedical Center willcover the costsremaining after the $5million capital cam-paign is completed.The project has ananticipated comple-tion date in summer2012.

Doris Wesley

Occupation: Alteration Business in my home.

Family: Son Gary, Daughter-in-law Dawn, Grandson Austin, Son Randy, Daughter-in-law Amy, Grandsons, Greg & Brent

Year diagnosed: 2004, 2006 & 2009

Years as a survivor: 7 years, 5 years & 1 1/2 years

Hobbies: Playing Bridge, Dragon Boating, Dancing and Attending my Grandsons activities.

What inspiration helped you through this process: My family, many friends and my church family. My teammates on my breast cancer dragon boat team helped me get on with my life. A friend Bev, has been my Angel, she helped me through each of my occurrences of breast cancer. We continue to have a special friendship doing things including traveling together.

How has this experience changed your life: I have learned to live each day. I’m on the Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon Boat Team. We practice every week during the summer and compete at festivals. We promote awareness that there is life after breast cancer.

Julie Davis

Occupation: FSS Coordinator Family: Husband, 2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 step-daughter, 1 grand-daughter Year diagnosed: October 2003 Years as a survivor: 8 Hobbies: Dragon Boat Racing; Music; Movies; Reading History Books; Dancing; Loving Life. What inspiration helped you through this process: The faith I have in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first and foremost was my inspiration. Secondly, family and friends including the Fighting Angels Abreast (Breast Cancer Survivors) Dragon Boat Team including Tom and Linda Donner and Barb Michaels. They help me every day to: live the life I am given with love, look to give to others and to enjoy the journey. The Fighting Angels are an emotionally strong, very compassionate, and physically active group that work as a team to achieve goals, compete in races, support themselves and others “over the bumps in the road”. The best part is we laugh and laugh a lot! Think about joining the Fighting Angels! How has this experience changed your life: I try not to take life so seriously and to live my life just for today. In other words...take time to smell the flowers, give smiles to others and do it often, cherish relationships, (things are not important), listen more, speak less, love with all you have.

Cheryl Lychwick

Occupation: Legal Secretary Family: Husband – Daniel Year diagnosed: 1998 Years as a survivor: 13 years! Hobbies: Fighting Angels Abreast BCS Dragon Boat Team Member; Midwest ADBA BCS Representative; Red Cross CPR/AED Instructor; American Cancer Society Daffodil Days Co-Chair; Lector , Greeter and Eucharistic Minister at Holy Trinity Parish; walking; gardening; yard work; and cake decorating. What inspiration helped you through this process: My faith and the support of my family and friends. How has this experience changed your life: I’ve met many new friends through a very special group…The Fighting Angels Abreast, a Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team started by Tom and Linda Donner and Barb Michaels. This sport affords good arm exercises after breast cancer and has a great support group of fellow survivors and supporters. We participate in several community fundraisers and activities as well as providing “We Care” goodie bags for breast cancer patients at the Trinity Cancer Center. Our team wants to promote awareness of the positive outcome of early detection and that one can be active and alive after a diagnosis of cancer. As Fighting Angels Abreast, we get silly, we laugh, we cry…but together our mission is to celebrate life as a symbol of strength and hope to each other and all those touched by breast cancer.

Deb Schuh Occupation: Sales & Associate United States Postal Service (window clerk) Family: My husband of almost 26 years: Michael Schuh; Sons: Michael Keck, Lyle & Martin Schuh & Rex the dog too! Year diagnosed: (Blessed) in 2000 with breast cancer Years as a survivor: 11 1/2 years breast cancer free Hobbies: Promoting breast cancer awareness I have been “blessed” with breast cancer! You say “blessed”? “Yes” - I say “blessed”! If I had not had breast cancer, I would have never had the chance to meet these courageous crazy ladies & our awesome mentors: Tom & Linda Donner, and Barb Michaels (mom) who started our team! Having breast cancer is being in an elite club that no one else wants to join until they have too. I am talking about our “Fighting Angels Abreast Survivors & supporters Dragon Boat team”. We promote breast cancer awareness for early detection in any way we can! We make comfort bags for Trinity Regional Hospital for any breast cancer patients going through surgery, we sell cookies that people pay us not to take so we can resell them again for our fundraisers, we go to athletic events in the community any “pink” games, we do the “Relay for Life” the YWCA Holiday Showcase, Basket for Benefits for breast cancer survivors & help with the “Angel Ride to Save the Ta Ta’s”, & much more! We have gone to Canada & Tempe, AZ, to Dragon Boat For Breast Cancer Awareness & Friendship Through Paddling!!! But what we do most of all is support each other in & out of the water & help keep each of us stay afloat in our lifeboats! Come join our team-you will have the most fun you can have & still get wet! Our halos may tilt a little every now & then - but we are always angels! P.S. They do make you paddle & I am soooo grateful for that! Breast Cancer Survivor & Promoter, Deb Schuh


Marilyn Meier Family: Married with 3 beautiful daughters, four precious granddaughters, and a wonderful grandson Year diagnosed: 2005 Years as a survivor: 6 years Hobbies: Dragon Boat Racing, Antiquing, Ebaying, Advocating for BC causes. What inspiration helped you through this process: Isaiah 53:5...”with His stripes we are healed”... and the genuine caring, concern, and prayers from so many...beginning with with Jeri B. and Sherry J. How has this experience changed your life: First...Pink has become my favorite color! Surviving Breast Cancer has taken me in a new direction. In 2005, I began doing something I had always wanted to do, but didn’t think I could: Dragon Boat Racing. I am now co-captain of the local breast cancer survivors dragon boat team, “Fighting Angels Abreast”. With them, I have traveled both in and out of the country for racing events. I have met so many inspirational people and developed irreplaceable friendships, both locally and from afar, for which I feel truly blessed. Also, in 2007, I helped create Angel Ride to Save the TaTas, which raises funds to provide uninsured services, such as wigs, scarves, transportation, etc., for BC patients in our area. It has been an incredible adventure to witness Angel Ride’s successful growth! Since my diagnosis and treatment, I try not to worry about the “big” small stuff! What we may think of as “major” can truly be insignificant in the scheme of fighting for your life.....and winning!!!

Dawn Thrams

Occupation: Teacher Year diagnosed: 2001 Years as a survivor: 10 Hobbies: Reading, bicycling, walking/hiking, swimming, golfing, dragon boating/paddling, etc. What inspiration helped you through this process: My faith, my family, and my friends! How has this experience changed your life: It helped me to realize the importance of early detection, My cancer was discovered at my first mammogram. My cancer was the size of a grain of salt and it was found right here in Fort Dodge at the Women’s Center. We are very fortunate to have a facility like this so close to home. Early detection is crucial to surviving. Get those mammograms!

Karen Kockorsky

Occupation: Employed at Fareway 23 years Family: Husband Frank - married 23 years Daughter Lauri 2 grandchildren Claire and Brett Year diagnosed: 2009 Years as a survivor: 2 years Hobbies: Camping, reading, gardening, scrapbooking, Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon Boat Team - and spending time with grandchildren What inspiration helped you through this process: My granddaughter Claire. She has always been there for me. Even though she’s only 9 years old. She still draws me alot of pictures to keep fighting cancer and to win - plus the dragon boat time is a group who helps alot. My family is very supportive of me good days and bad. How has this experience changed your life: You never know what tomorrow brings. Live each day to the fullest and try to be there for others at any moment.

Wyn Allen Occupation: Payroll Production Clerk Family: 2 sons, Donald and Christian, 2 daughter in laws, Paula and Carol, 2 granddaughters, Wynde (16) and Jennifer (13), 2 grandsons Bryce (9) and Mason (6) Year diagnosed: 1990 Years as a survivor: 21 Hobbies: Dragon Boating(Fighting Angels Abreast), Bowling, golfing, crafting, taking communion to the homebound. What inspiration helped you through this process: My family was my inspiration. I had 2 teenage sons and a young son who had cerebral palsy that I needed to be here for. How has this experience changed your life: I want to live life to the fullest. I started the Rally for a Cure golf tournament in Eagle Grove. Encouraged out bowling teams to bowl in the Bowl for a cure. My Breast Cancer Dragon boat team, my Bowling Association, and my golf friends are always there for me. When out son passed away with cerebral palsy in 2009 they rallied around me to help me through the rough times. When my husband passed away in Sept. this year the were there to support me. The are now helping me move to a different home helping me pack and clean the other house. They are always there to support me no matter what tragedy I am facing. God Bless them all!


Pat Hassett

Occupation: Retired Family: Stan Jones, My Fiance Year diagnosed: 1992 Years as a survivor: 19 Hobbies: I like watching sports, knitting, scrapbooking, dragon boating and helping with the 2nd grade class at St. Edmond. What inspiration helped you through this process: My Holy Family Church, my St. Edmond family and my “Fighting Angels Abreast Team and I know that God is watching over me. How has this experience changed your life: I have leaned to take each day as it comes and do what the doctors say. Life is too short. I want to thank the Daybreak Rotary for being our sponsor Fighting Angels Abreast Team, without them we couldn’t do what we do for the community and for the cancer center.

Jean Toillion

Occupation: Office/Finance Dept. Family: My husband Jim, 5 kids and 7 grandkids Year diagnosed: Fall of 2009 Years as a survivor: 2 years Hobbies: Marathon running, biking, hiking and reading. What inspiration helped you through this process: My faith in God and the help of my family and friends. Other cancer survivors came along side me for support and encouragement. A co-worker, Wyn Ann Allen, who is a cancer survivor and a member of the Fighting Angels Abreast dragon boat team, offered valuable information as well as comfort and encouragement when I was going through a period of uncertainty having never had any serious health issues before. The whole team was and is an example of courage amidst the trials and tribulations of breast cancer. My church family and the whole community also offered a lot of support through prayers and many acts of kindnesses. How has this experience changed your life: I worry less and live more each day at a time. My faith in God has deepened as He brought me through this trial. Now I try to reach out to others with my story. Breast cancer is very survivable if detected early. I am so very thankful for my doctor who felt the small lump during a routine exam and guided me to an excellent surgeon. I have recovered. Although my energy level isn’t what it used to be, I have resumed running and competed in several half-marathons as well as some shorter races. I worry less about my time and just enjoy the fact that I’m able to be out there running!! Count your blessings....each day is a gift from God!

Ann Nichols

Occupation: Retired Family: Married to David for 51 yrs. 5 grown children, 15 grandchildren Our 3 RNs, pharmacy tech, massage therapist, and the rest of the family were right there with us to ease our way through the procedures. Year diagnosed: Feb. 2010 Years as a survivor: 1 1/2 years This is why I promote annual mammograms for early detection After 35 years of annual mammograms cancer showed itself. It was still less than stage one and at Mercy Cancer Center they told me I qualified for a newer treatment - a mammocite. Less invasive and very localized internal radiation after outpatient surgery and I would be done with everything in less than 2 weeks. Unbelievable but true. Short on pain, time and drama it was little more than a bump in the road. All because I did my annual mammogram and the radiologist scheduled a biopsy right away. We celebrated my survival by sharing our 50th Wedding Anniversary with all our family and friends. Then I made a dream come true and joined the Fighting Angels Abreast Dragonboat team. This month my last mammogram will be rechecked and should it be cancer we hope they can do the same surgery. I want to paddle that boat again next summer.

Ramona (Moni) Olmstead Family: Married 49 years and 2 months (Husband Jerry (Turk) Olmstead) My children are: Dale and Julie Olmstead, sons Nick and Brett, Mindy and Evan Mossman, sons Sam and Ben, and Michele and Randy Chalfant, two daughters Lauren and Lynne. Year diagnosed: First time was 1984 - 24 years; Second time 2008 - 3 years In 1984 I had a sharp pain in right breast, that sent me to the Doctor, he had me wait a month. Then sent me to Doctor at Mcfarland Clinic. Dr. Hardy did a biopsy and found cancer. It was behind the breast bone and in some lymph nodes. They started chemo and I took them for 7 months. They wanted me to take a year but that was all I could take so I stopped. It took a year to get all medicine out of my system. Turk was my inspiration through this. We enjoyed many years of camping, boating and traveling with our family. Then in 1988 we moved to Lake Charles, La after my husband retired from the Webster City Police Dept. We moved back to Webster City after nine years in the South to care for my Mom. While we were there Jerry suffered a heart attack and had 6 By-pass surgery. With exercise and eating right he lasted 12 years. He passed away in 2006. That was the worst thing to survive gong on alone. My children and grandchildren have helped me get on with my life. I have a part-time secretary job with Webster City Schools, just 3 hours a day but keeps me out with the public and involved. In December 2007 just before New Years I had a mammogram and they found a cancer in my left breast. I had surgery January 4, 2008 I had Dr. Hardy again and they got it all. It helped me having my family and the whole Webster City School personnel saying prayers for me. The 18th of January, My sister Marge Kelly died, then my nephew Gary Olmstead died of a heart attack, and my sister Julie Balsley (who also had breast cancer) died of heart problems all in 4 months. Being a survivor is having a positive attitude even tho it’s really Hard!!!


n the P BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

ink THESE FINE BUSINESSES SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK: • Lowering your daily fat intake • Eating more fiber and fresh fruits

and vegetables • Limiting your alcohol consumption

to less than two drinks per day • Exercising for at least 30 minutes on

most days of the week • Quiting smoking



ink THESE FINE BUSINESSES SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Every three minutes a woman somewhere in the United States is diagnosed

with breast cancer. It affects millions, but

fortunately through early detection and treatment,

many survive.



1) What are the symp-toms of breast cancer?

Breast cancer can presentin many different ways.When it is small sometimesthere are no symptoms and itis found by radiological stud-ies. When it produces symp-toms the most common one isthe patient that feels a lump inher breast. If the breast cancerhas spread to the lymph nodesunder the axilla it may pro-duce a lump in that location.Other forms of presentationinclude: nipple abnormalitiessuch as spontaneous dis-charge, erosion, inversion ortenderness.

Pain and heaviness in thebreast is an infrequent presen-tation of breast cancer. Sometypes of breast cancer maypresent with redness andswelling at the level of theskin with a skin that lookslike an orange peel. Breastcancer also can present whenit is in a metastatic state,which means when it hasgone away from the breastand is involving other organs.Those patients may have non-specific symptoms such asunexplained weight loss, res-piratory symptoms, bonefractures, abdominal pain andfullness.

2) What does ‘screeningmammogram’ mean andwhen I should get one?

Screening test is a test thatis done in a population thathas no symptoms of a diseasewith the goal of diagnosing adisease in an early stage.Early diagnosis can mean anincrease success with treat-ment, a better prognosis anddecreased mortality in thepopulation due to that dis-ease. Breast cancers that arefound during screeningexams are more likely to besmaller and still confined tothe breast.

So a screening mammo-gram is the mammogram thatyour physician would recom-mend for you to have evenwhen abnormalities have notbeen noticed in your breast.The usual start time to getyour first screening mammo-

gram is at age 40 if your riskof breast cancer is averageand then continue on yearlybasis. You may have heardabout controversy in this par-ticular issue in the last year

and there maybe more con-troversy com-ing in the nearfuture. Inacco rdancewith the rec-o m m e n d a -tions of theA m e r i c a nC a n c e rSociety, wecontinue to

encourage patients that havean average risk of breast can-cer to get their first screeningmammogram at age 40 andafter that on an annual basis.

3) Should I be perform-ing self breast exam?

This is another controver-sial issue. According to theU.S. Preventive ServicesTask Force the current evi-dence seems to be insufficientto assess the additional bene-fits and harms of clinicalbreast examination in women40 years or older. Basically,there is no clear understand-ing of the benefit of perform-ing self breast examinationand there is a potential harmin terms of the anxiety that itmay produce on patients andthe higher incidence of falsepositive results. There is alsonot good standardization inthe way women are taughthow to do the self breastexam which also make theresults even more variable.

But even considering allthese aspects it is somethingeasy to do and I think thegreatest benefit that it has isallowing the patient to knowher breast better, if a changehappens she will be able todistinguish it better. So myrecommendation in thisaspect is to perform selfbreast exam on monthly basisas long as the stress that itimplies for the patient is notvery high. For patients thathave a high degree of anxietyby performing self breast

exam is ok not to do it as longas you get a breast exam doneon annual basis by a physi-cian and a yearly mammo-gram.

4) What are the risk fac-tors for breast cancer?

Let’s start by defining whata risk factor is. A risk factor isanything that affects yourchance of getting a disease, inthis particular case breast can-cer. Having a risk factor for adisease does not mean thatyou are going to get it, what itmeans is that you are moresusceptible to getting it.Among the risk factors someof them are obviouslyunchangeable. Some otherrisk factors can be changedbecause they are related topersonal behavior.

The most important risksfactor for breast cancer thatyou can not change are first ofall gender and second age.Breast cancer is seen 100times more common infemales than in males. Age isdefinitely a risk factor andmost breast cancers are seenin patients over the age of 55.Genetic risk factors are seenin approximately 5 to 10 per-cent of patients with breastcancer. Another strong riskfactor for developing breastcancer is a family history ofbreast cancer. Having a firstdegree relative with breastcancer almost doubles awoman’s risk. A personal his-tory of breast cancer has athree to four fold increasedrisk of developing a new can-cer in the other breast or inanother part of the samebreast. White women aremost likely to get breast can-cer but African Americanwomen are most likely to dieof breast cancer once they getit. Women with denser breasttissue have more glandulartissue so higher risk as well.

There are several benignbreast conditions that mayaffect the risk of developingbreast cancer as well.Usually, if you have gotten abreast biopsy and you haveany of those conditions yoursurgeon or primary physician

will advise you about yourparticular risk.

It seems also that anincrease in the number ofmenstrual cycles slightlyincreases the risk of breastcancer, so women that havehad an early menarche(before age 12) or latemenopause (after age 55)have a slight increase in therisk as well.

All these factors listedabove can not be changed, butthere are risk factors that arelifestyle-related and some ofthem at least can be modified.Having children late in life(after age 30) or not havingchildren at all increasesslightly the risk. Oral contra-ceptive use seems to slightlyincrease the risk of breastcancer, but over time this riskgoes back to normal once thepill is stopped. HormoneReplacement Therapy is usedfrequently to relieve symp-toms of menopause and pre-vent osteoporosis. However,if the hormones given are acombination of estrogen andprogesterone the risk of get-ting breast cancer increases.

Alcohol is clearly linked toan increased risk of develop-ing breast cancer. Comparedto non-drinkers, women whoconsume 1 alcoholic drink aday have a very smallincrease in risk, those whohave 2 to 5 drinks daily haveabout 1¢ times the risk ofnon-drinkers. The AmericanCancer Society recommendsthat women limit their alco-hol consumption to no morethan 1 drink a day.

Being overweight or obesehas been found to increasebreast cancer risk, especiallyafter menopause. Evidenceseems to be showing thatphysical activity in the formof exercise reduces breastcancer; how much physicalactivity is questionable. TheAmerican Cancer Societyrecommends 45 to 60 min-utes of physical activity atleast 5 times per week.

5) Is there anything I cando to lower my risk of get-ting a breast cancer?

Just have a healthylifestyle. Alcohol in modera-tion, a healthy diet, a normalweight and some exercise is agood way to start.

If you have had a biopsywith some specific abnormal-ities that put you at a higherrisk of breast cancer you maybenefit from some breast can-cer prophylaxis with someantihormones medications.You should discuss this withyour doctor.

6) I was diagnosed withbreast cancer, so what isnext?

First breast cancer is not anisolated disease, it is a combi-nation of different diseases,so each breast cancer patientis different and based on thedifferences in the particularcancer and the differences ineach particular patient are thedifferent treatment options.Treatment options are usuallybased in three aspects: sur-gery, chemotherapy/hormon-al therapy and radiation thera-py. Not every patient is goingto require the three of them. Itdepends on the patient, thecancer and the stage of thetumor at the time of the diag-nosis to determine the besttreatment to give to a particu-lar patient and in which order.

7) Is breast canceralways treated with mastec-tomy?

Absolutely not, mostpatients these days can betreated with conservation ofthe breast by what we call alumpectomy, which meansthat the area of the breastwhere the tumor is located isremoved and the rest of thebreast is left in place. Mostwomen will require radiationtherapy to the remainingbreast if they choose this sur-gical approach.

8) I do not want to dealwith this ever again; canyou do a double mastecto-my for me?

Double mastectomy is fre-quently performed for breastcancer, in the treatment andprevention setting. One of the

most important elements toconsider when determining ifa double mastectomy is theright decision for you is therisk factors for recurrence ofthe tumor or for developing asecond tumor as well as thepsychological stress that leav-ing a breast behind impliesfor some patients. In general,when a double mastectomy isplanned some kind of recon-struction of the breast can bedone during the same surgicalprocedure.

One important thing toremember, even the best sur-geon in the world is going toleave some breast tissuebehind when performing adouble mastectomy. So whileit is true that a double mastec-tomy significantly decreasesthe chances of breast cancer,it does not eliminate it 100percent.

9) Are there new treat-ments options for patientswith breast cancer differentfrom the past?

There are amazing newoptions in the treatment ofbreast cancer. At this pointwe are treating patients withbreast cancer in which we calla molecular level. We can testeven some of the specificgenes in each particular breastcancer and adapt the treat-ment for each breast cancer.And more genetic testing willbe available in the next fewyears.

10) How do I know myparticular risk of develop-ing breast cancer?

There are different scoresystems that we can use andthose score systems will giveus an average risk. In a life-time, a low risk patient willhave a 12-15 percent chanceof getting breast cancer. Ifyour risk is over 20 percentthat is considered high andyou may need differentscreening approaches thatyour physician will discusswith you.

Dr. Laura Miegge is a sur-geon with Trimark PhysiciansGroup with a clinical interestin breast cancer treatment.

Doctor answers frequently asked questions

LauraMiegge

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Lowering your daily fat intake Eating more fiber and fresh fruits and vegetables Limiting your alcohol consumption to less than two drinks per day Exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Quitting smoking

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there is no better time to make an appointment with your physician and learn more about the disease. While there is no surefire way to prevent breast cancer, there are ways to reduce your risk of it. These include:

Be in the pink this year. Follow the tips above to reduce your risk of breast cancer and be aware of the importance of early detection. Conduct monthly self-exams, arrange for regular clinical exams and schedule a yearly mammogram if you have a family history of the disease, are over the age of 40 or have been advised to do so by your physician. Stay on top of your health!




LOS ANGELES (AP) —The assignment was a daunt-ing one: Make a TV specialthat presents five short dra-mas about breast cancer andisn't a total downer.

Jennifer Aniston couldn'tresist the challenge.

The 42-year-old actresshad already decided todevote a year to producingand directing when shelearned about "Five." Justover a year later, the film isset to premiere on Lifetime,and Aniston is pinching her-self over the whole thing.

"It was a very nerve-wracking thing to think OK,we're going to tell five shortstories about breast cancerthat are poignant, that areinformative, that are movingand that are funny some-how," she said.

"Five" stars PatriciaClarkson, Rosario Dawson,Tony Shalhoub, JeffreyTambor and JeanneTripplehorn, among others,and features an equally all-star roster of directors thatincludes Aniston, DemiMoore and Alicia Keys in herdirectorial debut.

Aniston said she was "waymore involved in this thanany other thing I had myname on" and is beyonddelighted with the results.

"I'm proud of it. I'm hon-ored that we were able to besuch a part of it and I justcan't wait for people to seeit," she said. "Making a filmthat's special is wonderful,but when it's actually dealingwith a cause and dealing withsomething that attentionneeds to be paid to, that's justsomething that fills you insuch a way that it's indescrib-able."

After signing on as execu-tive producers, the first orderof business for Aniston and

her production partner was tocome up with the various sto-ries and a format for tellingthem. Aniston called up"Friends" co-creator MartaKauffman, who conceived ofa story arc comprising fiveshort films, each focusing onone woman facing a breastcancer diagnosis.

"I call it a film in fivefilms," Kauffman said. "Iwanted them deeply inter-connected and to feel like itwas all one."

The result is five stand-alone fictional films withrecurring characters, settingsand themes. The multi-storyformat is ideal for exploringthe impact breast cancer hason women, their families andtheir relationships, Kauffmansaid, because there are somany stories to tell.

"You can't tell one storyand have it reach as manywomen, and on the otherhand, you don't want toomany because, in manyways, there is a universalityto the experience," she said."We took different aspects ofthe experience — what itdoes to your sexuality, howfeeling like you're going todie helps you live, how it canheal a family — because thebottom line is it's an experi-ence that women go through,and there needs to be some-thing that holds it together...And it's always fun to thinkof a new way to tell stories."

"Five" opens with Moore'sshort film, which tells thestory of Charlotte (GinniferGoodwin) and her youngdaughter, Pearl. It is 1969,and as the extended familywatches the historic moonlanding on TV, little Pearlwants to know why hermother is lying alone in bedand her father is smokingnonstop on the porch.

The second film, directedby Aniston, shows Pearl(Tripplehorn) has grown upto become an oncologist.One of her patients is Mia(Clarkson), whose breastcancer diagnosis two yearsearlier inspired her to spendall her money, give away allher belongings and hold amock funeral. Then shelearns her disease is in remis-sion.

"I just loved the idea ofthis woman being told thatshe has a death sentence andshe finally decides to startliving her life because she'sbeen given a death sentence,

and then she's given anotherchance," Aniston said. "Thetheme of it just really spoketo me, about living in themoment and just beingaware, and also hope abouthow things can change."

Pearl is also treating Lili(Dawson), a high-poweredprofessional reluctant tocompromise her independ-ence and let her family sup-port her through her cancertreatment. Keys, who direct-ed the installment, said shewas drawn to Lili's storybecause "she was more in myage range. I understood herdynamic and I understood

her being a strong womanwho has to carry everythingon her shoulders."

The musician said she "fellin love with the entireprocess of directing" andplans to do it again, citingBarbra Streisand among herinspirations.

The fourth film is aboutCheyanne (LyndsyFonseca), a 26-year-oldexotic dancer whose liveli-hood and marriage arethreatened by her breast can-cer diagnosis and resultingdouble mastectomy.

Veteran filmmakerPenelope Spheeris directed

the piece, and she said "itwas the best shooting experi-ence, filming experience, Ihave ever had."

"I had never worked on ashow where all the people incontrol were women," shesaid. "Everybody was doingit for the right reasons andegos weren't getting in theway."

"Monster" writer-directorPatty Jenkins closes "Five"with the story of Pearl's owndiagnosis.

"To sum up the wholething and try to punctuate itis something that I alwayslove to do," Jenkins said.

Stars align with breast cancer stories in ‘Five’ Film set to appear onLifetime this month

in tHis iMAge reLeAsed by LifetiMe entertAinMent, director Patty Jenkins is shown on the set ofthe new Lifetime Original Movie “Five.”

-AP photo


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