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Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today marked National Mammography Day by joining representatives of Princeton YWCA’s Breast Cancer Resource Center, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Central & South Jersey Affiliate, the University Medical Center at Princeton, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and breast cancer survivor Lynne Ransom to urge women to get mammograms as part of a comprehensive breast cancer prevention program.
“We know that early detection of this disease saves lives,” said Holt. “My message to women is simple: get checked and do regular self exams. My message to men is this: show the women in your life that you love them by urging them to get tested regularly.”
Breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States between the ages of 20 and 59. In 2004, 1480 New Jersey women died from breast cancer and nearly 8000 were diagnosed with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Early detection is the key to survival. Women who detect their cancers early and seek immediate treatment have a 95% survival rate after five years.
Local, state, and national breast cancer support organizations echoed Holt’s call for women to take action to protect their health.
"Many women are afraid that if they have a mammogram or do a self-exam, they will find something. They think it's better not to know. But women need to take control of their breast health,” said Kara Stephenson, Director of the Princeton YWCA Breast Cancer Resource Center. “They should be aware that even if they are diagnosed with breast cancer, there are organizations like the Breast Cancer Resource Center that can provide information and personalized support that will help them cope."
“Overall, mammography is the best screening tool we have for detecting breast cancer at early stages,” said Suzanne Hornbeck, grants coordinator for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Central & South Jersey Affiliate. “It can find cancers when they are small and more responsive to treatment. Because mammography offers hope, we fund education, screening and treatment programs for the medically underserved and uninsured to close the gap and to reduce late-stage diagnosis.”
“University Medical Center at Princeton is deeply committed to promoting awareness of breast cancer prevention by providing information, screenings and support to women throughout the year and to providing state-of-the-art care for women with breast cancer close to home and family,” said Joanne Ritter-Teitel, PhD, RN, CNAA, Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, UMCP. “We look forward to the opening of our new Breast Health Center to further enhance diagnostic and breast health services that are available to women within our community.”
“Early detection is your best protection. Lack of health insurance is no excuse not to have to have a mammogram,” said Doreleena Sammons-Posey, Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Services for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. “You can call 1-800-328-3838 to see if you are eligible to receive a free breast cancer screening. Screenings are available in all 21 NJ counties.”
“There’s been such an increase in awareness of breast cancer in the last 15 years, but there’s a lot more that people can learn, especially teenagers and women in their 20’s,” said breast cancer survivor Lynne Ransom of Hopewell Township. “I have a daughter and four nieces, and I’m especially interested in seeing them live their lives with as much knowledge about how to avoid breast cancer as possible.”
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